He Wasn’t There
The conventional identity of a young man has always been unclear to me, the identity of a young queer man holds even greater mystery. I was born in Ireland on the cusp of homosexuality being decriminalised, although attitudes were changing and becoming more positive towards the LGBT community, I was raised with conflicting ideals. These ideals have had a direct impact on shaping my identity growing up. I was never taught about how same-sex relationships should function, or how two men could love each other romantically.
He Wasn’t There is a self-reflective document of key points in the lifespan and fallout of a codependent relationship. It’s told in three chapters, I: Moneylands, II: VIDEOBOY, and III: Las Américas. Through viewing each chapter in succession as a single narrative, the project shifts focus from the impermanence of a lover’s presence to that of the identity of the subject within the images.
I: Moneylands
II: VIDEOBOY
III: Las Américas