“I am a community organizer and artist. Queer Asian culture seems to only recently come out of the shadows, and its renaissance is now blossoming like a blooming lotus in muddy waters. My mission is to contribute to this global movement through queer erotic expression and inter-generational drag. Through my art, I hope to allow future queer Asian generations to heal through sexual liberation and stronger connections with their cultural roots. As a Canadian of Chinese Bruneian descent, I count myself privileged to live in a country where I can live freely to define my own queer expression, and I hope to use this as a beacon to inspire others in finding themselves.”
Komodo shared their story with the project ‘Out of the Shadows’ by photographer Chris Lau. This series sheds light on people living on the margins of society. Paying homage to Diane Arbus who saw those that would otherwise go ignored, this social documentary portrait series captures people in all their authenticity: their defiance, vulnerability, awkwardness and sensuality. Living in the shadows doesn’t imply living on the periphery of society, nor does it mean we are the minority. We are many who share a common, yet distinct, experience of “othering”. Once we realize our commonality, we are, in fact, the majority and at the very center of society.
ABOUT CHRIS LAU:
Life often leads you down unexpected roads. From being an architectural technician to a social worker and, now, a photographer and visual artist. Perhaps we’re meant to constantly evolve as human beings.
Each of my professional careers inform the others, giving me a unique perspective on life and about people. My attention to detail and sense of perfection, my humanism and compassion, my ethical values, as well as my desire to deliberately not fit into social norms or visual standards define who I am.
I believe photography has the power to change people’s attitudes and people’s lives. I don’t aim to solely create beautiful images; I aim more so to create impactful ones. I aim to bring out people’s authenticity. I aim to document the world as it truly is, through my anti oppressive lens.
