The photographer and filmmaker who showcases and celebrates the queer community to acknowledge its existence
Some people describe his photographs as plain while others as overly fashionable. When talking about artistic expression, individual taste influences the way we perceive art. We tend to like what matches our preferences or agree with our ethos.
But for Asafe Ghalib, art has also the power to educate and change preconceptions about a specific reality. Through his work, he gives visibility to queer people. Visibility he has never had. “We’ve always been there, but quiet, and now we’re not quiet anymore,” he says.
Born and raised in Brazil 29 years ago, repression was part of his childhood. The youngest of three brothers and the son of a pastor and gospel singer, Ghalib’s life was led by the norms dictated by God and implemented by his father. The patriarchal structure of his family as many others in Brazil was sacred. His father imposed his ideas and homosexuality was not among them.
“I prefer to see you dead rather than being gay,” his father once said to him.
Homophobia was intrinsic in society too. His way of walking, speaking, or even gesticulating was constantly questioned, commented on and turned him into a victim of continuous bullying. “I could not even find a place to exist,” Ghalib says. “I was ashamed of being who I was.”
A violent incident with his father and brothers that made Ghalib fear for his life led to him leaving his home with only a pair of shoes and a bloody face. The harshness of the reality outside his home hit him. “I got really skinny, I was eating bread and drinking coffee,” he says.
Despite the difficult moments, Ghalib started to accept himself surrounded by a creative environment of actors, musicians and artists who could express themselves through their work. It was at that moment when the opportunity to finally change his life arrived. Ashamed of the comments about his son and to avoid further damage to his reputation, his father offered him flight tickets to leave Brazil and start a new life.
Searching for a place to be himself, he found London: where gender stereotypes were blurred, where wearing makeup, and heels was trendy, and strong personalities were celebrated. Meeting what was considered “rare” people was his salvation. Trans people, drag queens, unique human beings who taught him that it was okay the way he loved and lived his sexuality but also to exploit his creativity.
“In this society, we learn to reproduce and not be our own creators,” he says. “Being the creator of your existence, that’s what I always wanted to do.”
Ghalib’s visual work portrays precisely those people who made him who he is today. Through his photographs and film pieces, he aims to give visibility and a safe space to members of the LGBTQ+ community where they can be themselves. He wants to open eyes to gain tolerance and respect, but also to revendicate a place in society for them, no matter what they look like, or identify as.
“We’re going to be more extravagant, colourful and over the top than we’ve ever been,” he says.
Ghalib’s studio is the street. He captures the people the way they are, without ornaments or costumes. That is what makes his work so magical.
At the beginning he pitched magazines and companies to share his work with, however, now the tables have turned. His talent is recognised. He decides whether or not to collaborate with someone. Although reaching this point was hard, he now feels fulfilled and proud of what he has achieved: being himself and creating inspiring work for other like-minded individuals.
Ghalib is currently working on an exhibition to gather people who he has worked with within the past two years, to meet each other and make a symbiotic place to exchange ideas.
However, his near future is unclear. Impulsiveness impedes him to overthink it. Brazil is among his options. Every time he goes back, he gets inspired by local charities that advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. From stories of trans people who left their house at the age of 12 and have nothing, or scarred sexual workers immersed in drugs and other addictions. Thanks to them, he has the sensitivity and empathy he has today. They are his muses, his inspiration and the reason why his work is so important and necessary.
Coverphoto Credits: Paula Turmina
Pablo is our print designer and writer, follow him on Twitter!