From the artist:
This image is a result of a collaboration between Lex Titterington a non-binary performance artist and me. I am adding a bit of background to our collaboration. Lex has been awarded funding from the Arts Council for a project on the self, socialization, culture, identity, and nature. As many transgender/non-binary people of their era, they have felt misunderstood, marginalized, and mistreated. Within their project they are intending to portray their experiences in performance, exploring connections between the spine, gender fluidity, water, its healing effect on the brain and on the traumatised body.
I have a long-standing interest in gender, worked with transgender people and in 2013 became aware that I have a transgender daughter (born as a boy) who is now in a relationship with a non-binary partner.
The project “Your body belongs to You” by @shutter_hub, an open call for international women and nonbinary photographers to exhibit @festivalpilours in France seemed perfect for exploring the experiences of trans/non-binary people. I approached Lex and they immediately agreed, as there is an overlap in our projects.
According to Lex: “This is a creative journey of gender and expression, portraying what it feels like to be non-binary in a binary world. The silent expression of the voiceless one” They further said that it felt very powerful and magical to be witnessed and valued. Lex added that it was something special about me what made them open and express themselves in front of the camera. For me it was amazing to observe how their face, and body language lightened up towards the latter part of the photo session. When they said: “I am happy now, I am me,” I felt rewarded.
In under two hours we managed to create over 500 images (I used two cameras) Selected photos are intended to be used for both projects.