TIFFANY THOMSON - EXPOSURE EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOWCASE

This work steps into the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and explores where and with whom they find safety. It explores the reasons this community still has the need to seek safe spaces, during a time of political unrest, and attacks from far-right wing religious groups.

It begins with images from protests in the city of Calgary between Right-wing Christian Nationalists and LGBTQIA+ activists. This opening provides context and validity for the ongoing need for safe spaces within the queer community. From here, this collection transitions into the exploration of these specific safe spaces, with intimate shots following members of the trans, genderqueer, drag, and 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Each entry is supported by the subject’s direct words, describing how, where, and why they find their safe spaces in their own voices. The work is intimate, highlighting the subject’s homes, bedrooms, and private spaces. The work focuses on the subjects while they are vulnerable and open, drawing viewers into their worlds to connect with their humanity. By inviting viewers into a close and personal look inside the lives of queer people, readers can explore relatable spaces, emotions, and life - building empathy by exposing either similarity or contrast to the reader’s own life. The work reflects on both public and private displays of queerness and finding the fragile balance between safety, and fulfillment. The essay seeks to give space to each subject with both vulnerability and strength, and to create paths toward understanding for all viewers who may not have such a close window into queer lives.

BIOGRAPHY

Tiffany Thomson is a visual artist and documentary photographer who explores sexuality, identity, gender, and religion. Her own foundation of growing up as a queer person in an extreme religion in small town Alberta, Canada - as well as the fallout from living and leaving that religion - have shaped her. The artist’s work examines stories of people who have had common experience with religion, queerness, and/or rigid origin stories, so her work is often self-reflective. Tiffany’s documentary work examines people in her community and their stories, with the hope of showing the interconnectedness and beauty of all.

Tiffany was born and raised Mormon. She was married quickly at 20 years old and had 4 children. She came out as a gay woman at the age of 34, but tried to salvage an already harmful marriage for another 3 years. The marriage dissolved and Tiffany also left the Mormon church. She was shunned by her religious community, but still maintains a loving, supportive relationship with her family. Having almost no formal education before her earlier marriage, Tiffany went back to school to support herself and her children. She is in the process of earning her degree in Design and Photography at the Alberta University of the Arts.

Tiffany is now married to her wife, Terumi, and they have 8 children together. They are happily living in Calgary, Alberta.