Myth, Skin and Desire

Photographs/Display - 2017

Shown as exhibited *2017. In diptych and triptych
Each image is singular and collected as a single photograph or Framed individually

Photo Essay: Myth, Skin and Desire

There is a notion within the “Gay” community that desire and sexual likes and dislikes hold no racial bias. This photographic/Mono-Print series (Myth, Skin and Desire) is concepted on the sexual politics of skin color. Historical body politics, presented and projected desire within the context of gay male interactions and the continued practice of project historical desire, further complicated by modern day technology / Social media APPS’s with their inherent “coding” for race based selection, segregation and exclusion.

The process of creating these photographic works is integral to their creation and contributes to the reflective and “contemplative memory” feel and diffusive look of the photographs. The attempt is to illustrate ones inner conversation while traversing the landscape of sex, love and desire as a person of color, a Black Man in particular, within the confines of the “Gay” social scene. Addressing the laws of attraction, and how same-gender loving men target and pursuit based on “skin” or rather “race” excluding and including or putting forward an exclusive desire – without addressing racial undertones or out right racism that sometimes guide these desires. Further, the titles of the works ask if “We” or “I” as a person of color help to condone this practice.

DUANE PAUL

DUANE PAUL