REGINE DAVID

Name: Regine David
Age: 31
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines
Home: Tokyo, Japan & Manila, Philippines
Discipline: Photography

*Cenon and Mav (two boys almost kissing in sunset),* 2016

Where do you come from and why did you start using photography?

I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I left home at 19 to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and since then I have found myself living in Hong Kong, France, New York City, and eventually Tokyo. I have always used photography as a means to understand myself and the people around me. I was a conservative shy girl growing up. I was grateful that my photographs would tell my stories when words would fail me.

What are the main topics you deal with in your work?

It has always been about human connection and visibility in all forms. There are so many narratives that are often overlooked. I grew up with a limited idea of what queerness and the female gaze could be, so having an opportunity to navigate those experiences through my own perspective will always be integral to why I photograph.

How do you define your artistic search and practice in three words?

Emotional, vulnerable, and intimate.

Which techniques do you use to create?

I like to shoot with natural and ambient light, and I love happy accidents. I try to make room for them whenever I shoot. I think a bit of curated chaos never hurt anyone.

How does your identity influence the way you make images?

As a queer woman of southeast Asian descent, I find myself searching for identities like mine, because these were narratives I never got to see growing up. Inclusivity and representation play a significant role in my work. I find it exciting to also challenge existing narratives and norms, which are celebrated around the world. At times, it gets exhausting, and I would like to thrive in an environment where these signifiers of representation aren’t indicators of a diversity check, but as a subtext to the artists and their work, a luxury afforded to Western artists mostly. Still, I do recognize that these signifiers exist so that others who have the same background as mine can !nd themselves in a space that usually excludes them.

What kind of approach towards ‘aesthetics’ does your work provide?

Honest and raw. A little bit of softness, too, a little bit of a fever dream. I like shooting in intimate spaces, such as bedrooms and bathrooms, because these are the places where we are the most honest versions of ourselves.

What kind of beauty does your work focus on?

It’s strange, but I like to think of beauty as an energy rather than a physical manifestation. I think honesty is beautiful. Visually, I’ve always appreciated fluidity of feminine, masculine, and non-binary identity in the people I’ve photographed.

What does being an artist mean in your opinion today?

We still make Art to make people feel. Whether it is to challenge the viewer or to celebrate the subject, being an artist means using Art as a medium to amplify issues that matter most to you and your community.

ANDREW JARRETT

LOGAN T. SIBREL