QUEERING THE LENS

The personal is political, especially for these photographers when it comes to their art, discovers Maahi Shah

- Maahi Shah

The arts offer refuge to the scorned, give a voice to those who feel they don't belong, a platform for protest, and a space for self-exploration and fearless expression. Described by artist Louis Fratino as "...a way of seeing something that hasn't been seen before," the queer gaze offers a counter to the heteronormative perspective we're often surrounded by, celebrating marginalised bodies and identities. When queer photographers pick up the camera, they often do so with the intention of representing the complexities of queer folk, frequently integrating storytelling with their own lived experiences.

We spoke to six queer artists whose personal journeys, marked by the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, have shaped their art. Photography then became a space to express themselves, defy fears, come into their own, and offer new, previously unseen perspectives.

APURVA JADHAV, MUMBAI

When photographer Jadhav went for her first pride parade, she was not out. "I was so scared of what to tell my parents; I just said I was going to take some pictures. Through my camera, I immortalised the experience of my first pride parade," she says. The camera has been her constant companion at every pride parade since. "I have social anxiety, and I don't know how to be around people. So, I use my camera as a shield." She prefers to be a silent observer, which is often mistaken for meekness. "I've felt small and disrespected in large crowds and rooms in which I never felt like I belonged because of my identity," she says.