As part of the upcoming Midsumma Festival, Queer PHOTO events are popping up throughout Footscray and Newport.
To Be Who We Want To Be (TBWWWTB) is a series of six works by self-educated Ukrainian photographer Vic Bakin on display at The Substation outdoor Billboard Gallery.
Mr Bakin said he was surprised and flattered when he was asked to be a part of the festival, and he can’t wait for Melbourne to see the powerful series.
“To Be Who We Want To Be —with these simple words put together, the message is simple: each person deserves the right and freedom of self-identification. I admire these beautiful people,” he said.
“The roots of this project go back to a history, where, after years and years of Soviet forbiddance and suppression, a queer scene started to sprout from the underground.
“While still being marginalised by the society brought up in past times, little by little it obtains its own unique voice, different from others.”
He said that although the queer community is different, he wants to erase the barriers put up between different types of people and promote a sense of unity.
“I try to look for something that connects us rather than divides us. I believe that little by little, there will come an understanding of diversity, there will come acceptance, and unity. I think those are the things that are much needed now.”
The display will be available to see for free at the Substation from January 27 to March 24.
Gerald Lynch
