Raymond Dakoua
Safe Spaces
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One afternoon, a moment of happiness amongst friends on Modeste beach at the coast, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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“There is only one freedom: the freedom to fight for freedom.”
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No title, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Will the LGBTI-community ever find a place to call their own? Many of the people who Dakoua documented feel at home when they are together – finding safety amongst each other. He became aware that individuals from the community are less comfortable and live less openly when they are back in spaces where homosexuality is frowned upon. “Safe spaces constitute home”, he says.
Dakoua, heterosexual himself: "I don't represent LGBTI people. I can only speak about my journey. There are different ways to conduct a struggle. Some people march, others write. My medium is photography. (…) My camera is a storytelling tool.”
He feels it is important to build trust between himself and his subjects, people must not feel othered or exoticised.
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Here in good company, Solange Kibbi, born Alexis, had to leave her home country Rwanda for Canada for her transition. Her wish, she told me, was that her life would not end before one day having been called ’’ Madame’’, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Young girls, most of them lesbian, practicing before a soccer semi-final game in a region of, Cote d’Ivoire 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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While drying the laundry this young couple finds their complicity, Maputo 2016. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Ready for a night out, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Hand in hand, one of them told me : “This is the love of my life” Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Pride and Joy: 'Arthur embracing his partner told me this: "Me and my darling are a couple, I am dreaming of living my sexuailty without hiding." Arthur is also a leader and counsellor within the Abidjan LGBT movement.' Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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At the entrance of a dancing, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Dancing on the rythms of ''zouk love des antillais'', in a dancing of the LGTB community, Abidjan 2015. Series A Place to Call their Own
Copyright Raymond Dakoua
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Credits
- Photography: From the series A PLACE to CALL THEIR OWN ©Raymond Dakoua
- Artist website: www.raymonddakoua.com
- Text: Bart Luirink and Christina Månsson with thanks to Raymond Dakoua
- Quote: Raymond Dakoua: BusinessLIVE, Life/Art, 2 February 2017
- Curator & editor: Christina Månsson for ZAM. Read the introduction here
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- Photography: From the series A PLACE to CALL THEIR OWN ©Raymond Dakoua