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Fragility my freedom – Ink blot mind, 2011

by Aaron James McGarry

Finalist, Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award iD2012
Single channel HD video

Fragility my freedom – Ink blot mind, 2011 by Aaron James McGarry
Video: 6 minutes

The purpose of this work was to shed light on my transition from being a confused suicidal teenager to an out and proud gay adult, and looks at my journey through therapy and self-discovery to become comfortable with my sexuality and this identity I was born with.

Fragility my freedom aims to reflect the struggles of growing up and identifying oneself as ‘homosexual’ but is not only limited to that notion. The work can also relate to anyone that feels ‘different’ or alone, especially in our rural communities. This work is a reflection of how life goes on after personal struggles and how, at the time, ending it all seems like an option, but ultimately, suicide is not the answer.

Many youth suicides are due to bullying, slander and other unacceptable rhetoric and behaviours that have to stop. We have to educate and encourage our friends, family and even strangers that this hate will not be tolerated any longer.

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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