• TRIBAL TIES •
2023
"Tribal Ties" is deeply personal project that emanates warmth, shedding a heartfelt light on the LGBTQ+ oppression prevailing in Azerbaijan and the broader Caucasus region. With every click of the camera, my own emotions intertwine with the subjects' stories, forging a profound connection that reaches deep into the soul.
Through my photography and carefully chosen symbols, I pour my heart into raising awareness and igniting empathy. Each portrait I capture, each symbol I embrace, carries the weight of my own experiences and the shared struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. This project is a heartfelt endeavor to bring understanding and compassion to the forefront, creating a space where identities can be celebrated without fear or prejudice.
During a transformative photoshoot shared with my closest friend, we embarked on a journey to capture not only our own inner selves but also the resilience and courage of others. The portraits of an Azerbaijani exile activist and my seventeen-year-old self became windows into our shared narratives of struggle, triumph, and unyielding hope. And when I encountered the captivating pomegranate painting by Usta Qənbər Qarabaği, adorning the majestic walls of the Shaki Khan's Palace, it was as if my own heart found solace in its symbolic representation of life's eternal strength.
In the juxtaposition of these intimate portraits against the opulent backdrop of the Shaki Han's Palace, I invite viewers to delve into their own personal journeys, contemplating the privileges they may possess and the experiences that shape their understanding of the world. This project is a personal reflection, a reminder that the divide between privilege and struggle is not distant but deeply ingrained in the fabric of society.
"Tribal Ties" serves as an invitation to embrace empathy, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take transformative action. Through the lens of my camera, I aspire to ignite a flame of understanding, compassion, and acceptance that resonates with every viewer. It is my personal commitment to foster a society where every individual can live authentically and thrive, bound together by the warmth of human connection and shared experiences.
