In his ‘Queer Portraits’ series, Montreal photographer JJLevine_ set out to document his own community. He captured the story of a much bigger one. MuseeMcCordStew Take a look at his portraits of queer love and family:
mother bought him his first 35-millimetre camera. Levine was interested in photography, but at first only shot still lifes of dance shoes and tchotchkes. His mom suggested he try snapping people, too. At the time, his four siblings were in the process of establishing their own identities as young adults. Some of them identify as queer, and Levine studied their lives with great interest.
The series started as a term project for Levine’s fine arts degree at Concordia University, documenting his siblings, friends and lovers. Now, at 150 photos,is Levine’s most robust collection to date, and a tender, critically lauded chronicle of queer domesticity. The project was exhibited at Montreal’s McCord Stewart Museum in 2022.
The photographs feature exes, friends, and Hubert and Joah—his partner and child. As a result, the shoots look like garden-variety hangouts among close-knit people: they involve hours-long chats and rifling through subjects’ wardrobes. Often, there is food. But wheredeviates from pure documentary is in its deliberate construction: the lighting is artificial, the furniture is arranged just so and, sometimes, even the homes are borrowed.
Occasionally, the scenes themselves are years old, plucked and reconstructed from Levine’s memory. “I’m not catching people at a random moment, or showing you their unmade bed or pile of dirty dishes,” Levine says. “I’m showing you a person in clothes they feel really good in—maybe the best version of them.” In a sense, Levine’s collection of portraits mirrors a model of family that many queer folks can relate to: one born of loving curation rather than genetic obligation.
In the following pages, Levine tells the stories behind his intimate portraits. He is aware that his portrayals of non-monogamy and creative co-parenting dynamics inon behalf of the queer and trans communities at large. They are, but they’re also simply the stories Levine knows. “This was my way of showing care,” Levine says. “I just wanted to make beautiful images of the people I love.” Proud, cherished, safe in their homes. In that way, they are entirely subversive.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Quebec City mosque shooting: Montreal ceremony marks 6th anniversary of attack - Montreal | Globalnews.caA mid afternoon snowstorm Sunday didn't stop people from gathering Place de la Gare-Jean-Talon to remember a tragic event from six years ago at a mosque in Quebec City.
Read more »
Carey Price’s family plans to move from Montreal to B.C. - Montreal | Globalnews.caWhile answering a Q&A on Instagram this Sunday, Price's wife Angela said they will be moving to their custom-built home in Kelowna when their eldest child, Liv, finishes school.
Read more »
Adam Levine And Behati Prinsloo Reportedly Welcome Baby No. 3Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo have reportedly welcomed their third baby together. The pair, who are already parents to daughters Gio, 4, and Dusty, 6, are yet to share the exciting news on social media, but a source confirmed it to People. Behati has been keeping her fans updated on her pregnancy journey, with her…
Read more »
Levine: Coping with Canada — how three Afghan women greeted 2023Rokhshana, Zuhal and Tahmina are finally safe. But the sponsorship program that got them here faces tough changes in federal rules.
Read more »
Iconic downtown Montreal Archambault store to shut its doors this summer | CBC NewsThe Archambault Music store located on the corner of Ste-Catherine Street East and Berri Street in downtown Montreal will be shutting its doors for good this June, after over a century in business. | CBCMontreal
Read more »