Born in Luanda, Angola, Edson Chagas trained as a photojournalist before developing his distinct conceptual practice. His work gained international prominence through his exploration of the urban landscape and the material remnants of consumer society.

Chagas is best known for his series Found Not Taken, which documents abandoned objects relocated within city environments, and Tipo Passe, a collection of passport-style portraits featuring subjects wearing traditional African masks. His work frequently utilizes large-format photography to interrogate the relationship between historical artifacts and modern identity.

His practice continues to focus on the visual language of cities, particularly Luanda, where he uses photography to comment on the socio-economic shifts and cultural tensions inherent in post-colonial urban spaces.