Queer as Folk

Вянок – Wreath

I like to imagine these two as lesbian lovers escaping the homophobic environment of the city to have a little retreat by the lake. I nature they were finally free to love each other, but the sweet time they shared is coming to an end. Hoping to come back, they’re putting flower wreaths in the lake and letting the water carry them away.

Of course, this isn’t “just fabric”, that’s the point. The meanings we assign to things can feel fundamental, but they are in fact arbitrary and can change or be changed. This collage was inspired by the way Belarusian villagers were photographed in the XX century. They used to put on their best outfits and bring a beautiful woven blanket for the background. Getting photographed used to be an event, and how wonderful would it have been, if people of the past could’ve been portrayed as their authentic selves.

… І гэта мой унук – …And it is my grandson

This elderly Belarusian couple living in a village is openly and “outrageously” proud of their flamboyant grandson. They still remember being young and fighting for their love against their parents’ disapproval. They really embody the “love is love” outlook.

The title was inspired by the little rhyme my late grandmother used to sing to me and about me when a was a baby: “Oh what a lovely baby, oh what a pretty baby, oh what an awesome baby, and it is my grandson.”

М алыш – Baby

Translation of the collage: Text in Russian: Baby, you’re… talking? In Belarusian: Flowers (in baby-talk))

I said my first word when I was 4 months old, and it wasn’t “mama” or “dada”, apparently it was “flowers”. I started speaking in complete sentences by the time I was 1, to the shock of local aunties.
I’m still grieving the fact that my first words weren’t in Belarusian, that it’s not my “first language”, but I’m glad I’ve found my way to it.

Надзея і апора – Pride and joy

Growing up, my dad used to call me his pride and joy. Ever since I was a little kid, I couldn’t help but feel like that sentiment was not unconditional. I was very different from the perfect son I imagine my father had hoped for, and a huge part of that was my queerness.

Ціты – Flowers (in baby-talk)

In my mind this is a gay couple living somewhere in Belarusian countryside in the XX century. They’ve adopted a little boy and aren’t hiding their love for one another and their child. I really admire the “and what about it?” attitude you can see in their eyes.

Ш часця табе, чалавек – Wish you happiness, human

(The name is the same as the text in the picture)

When a baby is born, it’s natural for the parents to want the best life for them. Life is complicated and unpredictable, it doesn’t care about our hopes and dreams, and yet we still hope and dream, for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Я рыба ў тваіх руках – I’m a fish in your hands

(same as the text in the picture)

To me this is about being avoidant in relationships. I often can’t help but stay “on guard” when dating, waiting for a chance to “slip away”.