Pride Through The Lens
A Travelling Exhibition this summer. A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Identity and Love
PRIDE THROUGH THE LENS: A CELEBRATION OF LGBTQ+ IDENTITY AND LOVE
art’otel is thrilled to announce, Pride Through the Lens: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Identity and Love, a vibrant travelling photography exhibition dedicated to celebrating the diverse and powerful identities within the LGBTQ+ community across all art’otel destinations in Europe this summer.
This exhibition offers a powerful and intimate look into the lives and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community through the eyes of five talented photographers. Each image tells a story of identity, resilience, love, and joy, inviting viewers to celebrate and reflect on the rich tapestry of queer life.
By hosting “Pride Through the Lens,” art’otel not only underscores its commitment to inclusivity and diversity but also enhances its reputation as a forward-thinking, culturally engaged brand. This exhibition offers a platform for high-quality art that resonates deeply with the themes of love, identity, and resistance, drawing in visitors from around the world and creating meaningful connections across our international locations.
A Look Through by Ernst Coppejans
As a portrait and documentary photographer, Ernst Coppejans uses his art to address discrimination, exclusion, and prejudice. His work, infused with personal resonance, showcases the resilience and diversity of marginalised communities. Currently he has an exhibition on display in New York City delving into the lives of unhoused queer youth in the city, an often forgotten subculture.
As the artist comments on the series: “Thanks to the emancipation struggle of the generations before us, LGBTQIA+ people in the Netherlands are – almost – equal to everyone else before the law. But that acquired freedom is fragile. This progress will not automatically endure. There is still discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ people. Even in 2024, not everyone accepts that love, gender and sex are fluid. I think it is important – while we still can – to reflect on the rich life experiences of the generations before us. I wanted to capture and share those experiences. How did LGBTQIA+ individuals discover who they were and who they loved in an often ignorant and hostile society? What courage did it take for them to come out and fight for what is just? It was an interesting journey to learn more about a very diverse group of people over seventy. Every encounter was enriching. So many beautiful, moving, happy, inspiring, stunning, crushing, sad, powerful, and heart-breaking stories. Making this series has made me even more aware as a gay man, of the strong and courageous shoulders we stand on.”