Brent Leideritz

Photographic art. Seeking to subvert established systems, to challenge expectations and to confront ideologies. A collection of images to trigger thought and discussion. b.leideritz

The photographic portraits below depict those that have been othered, by the church and/or society, as a direct challenge and in contrast to religious notions of shame and systems of control. This photographic collection includes depictions of false religious iconography, nudity, the empowered human form, freedom of presentation, gender performativity, physical affection, depictions of queer potential, queer idolatry, and hope for a more utopic future.

The subject matter, and the above mentioned inclusions, may be challenging, confronting, and outside of your comfort zone. Please consider what education you may receive, or what evil may befall thee, prior to scrolling beyond this note, and viewing this collection. Proceed only if you are willing to accept these outcomes.

Divergent archetypes for old ideas is a collection of photographic and promptographic portraits, displayed as individual prints, that when seen in sequence, propose new ways of being, where queer and alternative performances of self stand against notions of shame and judgement. With research as photographer, and subject, and in collaboration with my queer and ‘othered’ community they actively queer and playfully weaponise: creative space for oppositional action; communal play; individual agency; self-expression; gender performativity; and the erotic. In deconstructing, rearranging, recontextualising and appropriating binary archetypes and narratives, this collection enables the empowerment of individuals and communities alike, and in doing so, inspires those who have felt shame, to make a stand, for themselves, and those they love.

Divergent archetypes for old ideas exegesis >>

Brent Leideritz is an independent Adelaide-based photographer who’s photographic practice originated with film during their self-taught and experimental formative period in the mid to late 90s and early 00s. Their practice has developed into digital mediums, utilising digital post-production and more recently exploring ai-generated promptographic resolutions. They continue to expand on themes and subject matter seeded in their formative years. Brent continues to interrogate identity, producing works that seek to question how an identity is formed and how identity is oppressed or liberated through family, cultural structures, kin and communities.

Brent Leideritz’s portrait photography is centred in creatively capturing the moment of collaboration between photographer and individual. In most instances, these moments coalesce into larger photographic series that explore themes such as: identity formation and politics; the human condition and connectivity; resistance of oppressive structures; cultural agitation for positive discourse and challenging religious and societal norms. Their practice interrogates and challenges normative ways of being, providing a space to those that are ‘other’ to be seen and heard. Developing their practice from within ‘othered’ communities as a neurovariant, queer, goth, freak, Brent gives space for playful opposition, collaboration, gender queering and representation. This creates space for communal deconstruction and reconstruction of the symbolism, myth and narratives that exist within normative and conservative society. Brent’s work creates an ever-unfolding set of questions for viewers to explore, and in doing so, asks those who see the resultant photographic artworks to consider a viewpoint that may differ from their own, as a way to move beyond dated binaries of the past.

b.leideritz.com
instagram.com/b.leideritz
facebook.com/brentleideritz
linkedin.com/in/bleideritz
cara.app/bleideritz

Thank you to David Hobbs, from Master of Prints, and Daniela Barth, from Spicers Paper, for their sponsorship, knowledge, support, and time, throughout, as your support has allowed me to explore fine-art printing in a way I would not have been able to without you both.​