miopassione

My Photo scholarship 2010 entry

Brunei Darussalam | Monday, August 16, 2010 | 4 photos

These series of photos were taken in Brunei Darussalam in 2010. The subject is a 67 year-old Australian gay man on holidays overseas in search of a gay Asian partner in a conservative, Muslim country. The first picture is taken on a secluded beach bordering the South China Sea. The second picture depicts the Kampong Ayer or Water Village. The third and last pictures are using the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque as the backdrop. It is essentially about "breaking the rules" in the pursuit of happiness. In this case it is two men from two distinctively different cultures that come together as one. The older gentleman have repressed his sexuality for decades while the younger Bruneian is still closeted to this present day due to fear of persecution. The two men were able to overcome their fears and meeting up with one another. I chose Brunei as the setting for my photo gallery because of its natural beauty and amazing architecture. Luscious green trees, blue sky and clear water, combining beautiful dome-shaped mosque and white columns give the story a romantic feel. Personally I have experienced repression while growing up gay in an Asian family. I was sent to Australia from China when I was 13 and then I became homeless and severely depressed when my mother found out that I was gay. I am now 21 years old and have a good university degree and a loving boyfriend. I am always interested in using photography to express my feelings of repression and hope. I am inspired by people who break out from their traditions to live the authentic life in which they are intended to live. I am hoping to use photography as a medium to break down stereo types of gay people and make a difference in the GLBT community.