2022-03-05
Eric Calloway
Design Dispatch, New York
Through her photographs, Carson Stachura humanizes the queer and trans community by capturing intimate moments and emotions. By doing so, she sheds light on the complexities of their identities and experiences, fostering a sense of visibility and connection with her audience.
Breaking Down Barriers: The Power of Authentic Representation
Carson Stachura's photographs are a testament to the transformative power of representation. By capturing the lives and stories of queer and trans individuals, they challenge the dominant gaze on trans identity, instead offering expansive and expressive depictions of gender and queerness. This New York-based analogue photographer is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and visible community through their image-making practice.
Stachura's work is deeply personal, centered around their close friends and immediate community. The participants in their photographs are everyday people that the photographer knows and trusts, allowing for an unbridled level of authenticity and intimacy. This approach not only creates a sense of familiarity but also underscores the importance of representation in shaping our understanding of identity.
Through their photographs, Stachura sheds light on the complexities and nuances of queer and trans experience, refusing to perpetuate stereotypes or tropes that have historically marginalized these communities. By presenting individuals as multidimensional beings, rather than mere icons or symbols, Stachura's work humanizes and dignifies those often overlooked in mainstream discourse. As a result, their photographs become more than just representations – they are vessels for the stories, emotions, and experiences of those who might otherwise be invisible.