Tandem: Digital Photography
Artist Statement
Tandem is a photo series that was inspired by a void of black women who are homosexual—there was not an accurate representation of us. There was not a place where I found myself and other women like myself to be seen in a graceful, positive, and accurate light.
This was important to me because I wanted all women to see themselves, but I especially wanted black homosexual women to see themselves and to be proud. There wasn’t always a particular space in photography that celebrates black homosexuality amongst women. The conversation of homosexuality only included black men, white women, and white men. My work speaks a lot about the black experience—representation and all elements of black people. I felt this was important because there is a certain absence when it comes to “black love” and the LGBTQIA community when it comes to representation. It was important to use the women that I had loved and to present them in a truthful and transparent light, which forced me to view myself in the same way.
Emerald Arguelles is an internationally recognized fine art photographer based in Savannah, GA. She takes pride in conveying black people of various walks of life in the true essence of who they are. Emerald draws influences from anime, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Nakeya Brown. She is currently studying at Savannah College of Art and Design. Emerald has had her works exhibited in Italy, Canada, Georgia, and New York.
