Beyond Instant Eros: Brian Henry's Polaroids of Desire & Decay

Beyond Instant Eros: Brian Henry’s Polaroids of Desire & Decay by Vicente CayuelaMay 6, 2024

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This week we present the work of six photographers addressing issues of human sexuality.
Today, our focus is on Brian Henry. A Q&A with the artist follows.

There is a pensive, if not penetrating, silence to Brian Henry‘s paranormal Polaroids of disappearing male nudes in abandoned buildings. It takes but a second staring at them to make me uncomfortably aware of my own flesh and its presence in the world around me. Yet, the startling psychological effect of Henry’s vagabond queer melancholia pushes beyond the peripheries of the physical plane or the unsettling immediacy of the uncanny. Henry’s instant photographs mine the existential quandaries of the internal — from the heaviness of intimacy and the turbulence of self-acceptance, to the fleetingness of memory and the immortal inevitability of death. The images are soul-awakening, reflecting on universal insular processes of growth and becoming.

Brian Henry, a Baltimore-based photographer, explores the realms of decay and mortality using a blend of digital, traditional, and experimental analog techniques. Within the textures of decay, he often incorporates the nude form, crafting juxtapositions that encourage introspection into one’s existence. Through his lens, Brian not only captures the beauty within decay but also the raw vulnerability of human existence. Immerse yourself in a visual narrative where the human form inspires introspection, encouraging viewers to ponder their relationship with their environment and their own resilience in the face of time.

Follow Brian on Instagram: @brianhenryyy

Artist Statement

Using tangible Polaroid photography, I explore the nuances of my queer identity, embracing both reticence and vulnerability as integral parts of my journey. Through the raw immediacy of Polaroid, each snapshot becomes a tangible record of my exploration, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and emotions. By sharing these intimate moments, I aim to foster connection and understanding, creating a space where authenticity and vulnerability are celebrated.

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Why was the Polaroid your medium of choice to explore ideas revolving around sexual identity and expression?

Brian Henry: Polaroid has been a great way for me to explore my sexual identity and expression because of its private nature. It’s always been an intimate medium, allowing photographers to capture more daring content without needing a lab to process the film. Though privacy is less of a concern in today’s digital world, there’s still a special feeling in using small, unpredictable analog materials for expression. I started experimenting with nude self-portraits as a means to fill the empty spaces in my adventures in abandoned buildings. This process has led me to explore my body and sexuality, embracing vulnerability and accepting myself without digital alterations. The medium is timeless, intimate, personal and addictive.

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What are your considerations when working with the male nude in your practice?

Brian Henry: Working with the male form, I find nudity to possess a timeless quality. While I occasionally experiment with clothing, I’ve found it can overly constrain the storytelling, limiting the viewer’s imagination. To introduce an element of mystery, I often incorporate “ghosts” in my work, obscuring certain body parts. This serves as both a means of self-acceptance and a commentary on the continued stigma surrounding male nudity. While I strive to create freely, I’m mindful of society’s ongoing adjustment to accepting male nudity, which sometimes leads me to obscure the form using experimental techniques to navigate censorship. In my work, I seek to strike a balance between tangible and ethereal, and between art and the erotic, allowing for open interpretation by the viewer, even if it comes at the risk of censorship.