Indian Photographer Challenges Existing Perceptions Of Masculinity With His Work
Contemporary themes of sexuality and its role in our gender spectrum have captured the attention of multiple artists and photographers in recent times. Homegrown seeks to showcase the work of such artists who attempt to overlay their interpretation upon the conventional perception of gender and sexuality.
Each artist’s take on this subject has led to a broad range of permutations and has lead to and a unique image. The final overlayed image is an amalgamation of creatives that represent a culture’s collective identity. We draw focus to one such artist’s work that we think is an honest and real iteration of misconceptions, rigidity, and beauty in our country’s collective urban identity. Mohit Tiwari’s work focuses on gender fluidity and offers a highly malleable insight into the gender spectrum. The visuals are striking and induce feelings of absolution from an archaic perception of gender that has enthralled perception for generations.
Mohit Tiwari is a photographer who depicts themes of sexuality in his photo series. Stressing upon the societal idea of masculinity, his work is an attempt to capture the different shades and sides of conventional masculinity. He relies on explorations in light and form to do justice to his subject matter and model.
Hidden meanings and inspiration behind his work:
The artist is inspired by the work of Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar Wai and in this project, he has tried to embody the role that light and colour play in order to depict emotions similar to how Kar Wai depicts in his movies. Each shot has a hidden meaning behind itself and just like Kar Wai, multiple meanings hide behind the tonality of Tiwari’s images. He wants to infuse an emphasis on the technicalities with a strong intent and subject matter.
The framing of Wong Kar Gai’s work and the manner in which each frame portrays melancholia is very interesting to Mohit Tiwari.
Creative process transcending conventional imagery:
His creative process involves building and introspecting an idea and then finding a model that fits his mental image of what the frame should look like and what it should communicate. This is followed by honest communication with the subject in order to bring the best out in the model to enable them to appropriately fit into his subject matter. His camera is the tool that binds all these individual variables together into a complete visual. Master of his art, Tiwari thinks that his best work is yet to come and the constant pursuit of self, image, light, and form will help him elevate into the best version of himself. He hopes for his work to transcend conventional imagery and ignite feelings of ease and unease when required, so as to instigate thoughts that refuse to conform to an existing perception of gender, masculinity, and feminity.
He shared some quick trivia with us:
Are there any Indian contemporaries of yours whose work you admire? (please share Instagram handles)
@devacheez @jaymanshere @karankrkapoor @gia_dhadak are some Indian creators whose work I truly admire.
If you could propose and lead a project, probably with the Government of India, what would it be?
Gender representation is a subject I want to explore and create changes within.
One track you’re currently listening to?
California Dreaming.
A project you would like to be a part of?
Anything with Anurag Kashyap involved in it.
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