WorldPride Portraits
For this series of portraits for the WorldPride Absolutely Queer exhibition I wished to create collaborative photographs with each subject that spoke not only to their artistic practice but hinted at how and where their creativity manifested.
I asked each artist to describe a space that resonated with them, and made them feel secure, contented, and inspired.
Each subject was photographed on both medium and large format film. The larger format photos were taken with a customised 4x5 rangefinder camera called a ‘Razzle’ – this process allowed for a slower, more meditative, and contemplative photographic process.
Justin Shoulder
Justin and I have made several photographs together over the years, often in costume and as a process to develop or document Justin’s various characters and performance works. For this portrait I was keen to capture them in a state that sits in-between the artist and the performer/character. We both had the simultaneous notion to photograph within a rockpool environment –it is as though they are emerging out of the wetness, in-between wet and dry, water and land.
Nicol and Ford
For this image of the artists/designers Nicol and Ford we wanted to make a portrait that was not only about their creative process but also their relationship with the body, community and each other.
Our concept for this portrait contrasts the idealised bodies of ancient sculptures with our community's ability to celebrate, alter and construct themselves, enjoying the privileges of expression afforded to our generation thanks to those who came before us.
