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Portraits of the rainbow tribe: Photographers swap geographies to celebrate LGBTQ community in India & Brighton

Two photographers swap geographies to celebrate the LGBTQ community in India and Brighton with compelling images

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(Clockwise) Olivia Arthur, Untitled (Unicorn), Brighton 2016; Olivia Arthur, Untitled (Loki), Brighton 2016; Olivia Arthur, Untitled (Laura), Brighton 2016; Bharat Sikka, Untitled (couple in bed), Mumbai 2016; and Bharat Sikka, Untitled (wings), Mumbai 2016, from the exhibition, ‘Intimation’
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The collaboration between Delhi-based Bharat Sikka and London-based Olivia Arthur, to produce a compelling account on the LGBTQI communities in Mumbai and Brighton, first began as a commission for the Brighton Biennial in October 2016.

Their show 'Reimagine' has now progressed to 'Intimation', that's ongoing at The Viewing Room in Mumbai, under the FOCUS photo festival's wing. Uk-based Arthur chose black-and-white, realism and Mumbai; while India-based Sikka opted for colour, fantasy and Brighton to take portraits of people who identify as queer. The only similarity between this camaraderie – both used large format film cameras and kept returning to their point of shooting to highlight the LGBTQI community.

The display is thus a heady juxtaposition of two contrast bodies of portraiture that resonate vibrancy, pride, self-love and self-acceptance. The subjects have been clicked in their homes or places they are at perfect ease. There are couples coupling and solo portraits epitomising confidence and cool. Despite no detailed captions, the portraits brim of compelling back stories, a fact both Arthur and Sikka confirm.

Sikka, who has photographed for leading publications, has an ongoing exhibition at the Kochi-Muzuris Biennale. Of his photographs, mainly from his 'The Marlborough Theatre' series at the LGBTQ capital of UK (Brighton), the one that stays with you the most is that of a guy holding a tattooed breast in a glass. He was a woman and that was his breast before transitioning. Sikka saw the breast at the mobile Museum of Transology and located it's owner.

Another subject that allures is a naked, bald guy in a bath tub. His gaze is raw, confident with an aura of mystery. The man has an administrative job and a boyfriend in Thailand. Then there's a rock, with writing in red ink, that states, 'No limits for...(cell number)'. Sikka found this rock at Duke's Mouth — a spot for the gay to hook up. Another shows a young boy bending against a long-haired man with a portrait of a pierced penis on a wall behind.

Sikka prefers to stay vague about this fantastical interpretation – he only says that he asked them to rustle up an intriguingly awkward scene.

Another lens

Arthur came across similar tales. She catches a girl in mid-jump wearing a tutu skirt. Another photo shows her leaning backwards in a leotard. "She's a dancer, who teaches and performs. She is still transitioning. Her mother is very supportive of her and even came to the opening," says Arthur.

One photograph shows a man in his 50s, wearing ladies' undergarments and a wig; he is not gay, but loves to cross-dress. "He had a girlfriend, but she couldn't believe he wasn't gay. In the end they broke up. He came for the exhibition to check if anyone would recognise him and was relieved that no one did," says Arthur, a Magnum photographer, who has lived and worked in Delhi for two-and-half years. from her own portraits, she loves the one that has men jostling to enter a crowded Mumbai local train. A metaphor on sexuality.

Fighting anxiety

It's the economic disparity especially in the Indian LGBTQ community that prevents members from mixing with one another, observe Arthur and Sikka. In Brighton, queer members hold regular jobs and move about freely. It was only after a few trips to India that Arthur made the acquaintance of queer members of the lower class.

However, Arthur is quick to add that despite the conservative atmosphere, people were eager to be photographed. "They were okay to say 'this is my body', 'I'm gay', 'this is my partner'. There is a growing openness, boldness and an energy that is quite interesting in the community here."

However, the two were disappointed that not all photographs were hung up; some are kept in files at the exhibition. It's a shame because these are the more artistic and expressive ones. Apparently, the organisers of the festival were anxious that their nudity levels might appear pornographic.

'Intimation' is on view till March 23 at The Viewing Room, Mumbai

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