André Siquera
The jumping off point for my thesis was honouring the queer lives we’ve lost, those who never got to see their fight reach the rights we have today. I have taken most of my inspiration from the Stonewall Riots and will continue to use this as a source of knowledge and power. My main muse for the theme of my work has been Marsha P. Johnson; Her activism has transcended generations and every queer person is indebted to her efforts. A true icon, Johnson fought for all. In her honour, the main message I have strived to convey within my work is that queer lives matter, and we will not be silent until we are equal. My body of work celebrates the queer experience by showcasing all aspects of how it has impacted my life. I have done this by taking a series of black and white self-portraits that depict three major aspects of my queer identity. The images investigate how my queer identity has influenced my self-expression. They have been printed on silk organza, to reflect the fact that I have been completely transparent. With this piece, I decided to not hold back, I wanted to proudly stand in the light.
