A love of art and the desire to create was a source of strength and solace for Niagara College student Theo G in the face of gender discrimination in his home country and the challenges of immigration.
Moscow-born Photography student Theo G’s work dazzled at NC’s Photography Program End of Year Show, earning him the top award for Portfolio of the Year and a professional camera kit courtesy of Nikon Canada.
From L to R: Sean Kennedy, Stephen Dominick, Theo G, Spencer Kapitan, Eric Martin, Julieth Barreto
“We are media students and content creators. Getting this exposure, having our works displayed and recognized not only by friends and family members, but also the professionals in the photography field, is a one-of-a-kind opportunity and a big honour,” said Theo.
Theo’s portfolio – ten photos in total – included profiles featuring striking elements of fantasy and horror inspired by his partner and muse, and influenced by Japanese Manga, surrealist artists, and fashion portraiture. The Portfolio of the Year award was adjudicated by Photography program alumni, faculty, and representatives from Nikon Canada.
Photography was a childhood passion for Theo. Facing discrimination in Russia, the former biochemistry student fled with his partner to Denmark to get married before moving to Canada – a move he calls “bold,” but which “paid off in the end.”
“Living there was never a safe option for me for multiple reasons, including my gender identity, sexual orientation and mental health stigma,” said Theo, who is nonbinary (transmasc). “I was lucky to leave the country, bring my partner here, and never go back.”
In 2018, new to Canada and temporarily separated from his partner during the immigration process, Theo found solace and a creative outlet in photography.
“I started working on self-portraits to express my complex feelings or to alter my appearance and escape reality for a short period of time,” he said. “While a lot of photographers enjoy capturing the moments of reality, I choose to create my own moment and even my own reality.”
Photo by Theo G.
Reunited with his partner during the pandemic, they turned to cosplay – wigs, makeup, costumes and props – to blend the real with the fantastical, experiment with portraiture, and ultimately advance Theo’s photography skills.
Theo has a unique sense of resourcefulness to craft or stage a photo for his audience to question what is real. He spent his last paycheck before COVID layoffs on an entry-level DSLR camera. As Theo watched tutorials and experimented with make-shift lighting (bags over office lamps to simulate softbox lighting) and equipment (like the scuba diving flashlight he still carries today) the quality of his photography grew.
At a crossroads as a developing photographer, he sought Niagara College for professional training and mentorship.
“I want to thank the Niagara College team, Stephen Dominick and all of my professors: Grace, Jerry, and Max for their patience and support through this journey,” said Theo, who will continue his studies at NC in the fall. “They go above and beyond to help us achieve the best possible results.”
From L to R: Grace Smith, Theo G, Nathan Wilkinson (Nikon Canada) and Stephen Dominick.
“The prize from Nikon to me is, most importantly, a big recognition of all the work and passion that I’ve been putting into photography and the portfolio specifically,” he said. “As a young couple trying to settle in a new country through COVID and after, I wouldn’t be able to invest in a new camera at this moment. It definitely happened at the right point of my life which I deeply appreciate.”
Theo plans to focus on fine art, fashion and product photography, but is intent on growing and evolving as a photographer.
“I don’t think I’ll ever stop exploring new techniques and portraying people (and creatures) that never existed, bringing them to life and making everything possible.”
Above all, Theo wants his photos to make you feel something.
“Amazed, confused slightly uncomfortable, or simply fascinated by the colours and light.”
