his light, their light, my light is a photographic series adapted from a short-run artist book of the same name. The work presents a poetic, semi-autobiographical narrative of a person living a domestic, hetero-normative life. The quintessential ‘woman across the street’.

Artist Statement:

The intention of this work was an act of affirmation of identity as a lesbian who was brought up in Christianity. This body of work is an act of exploration between what some might consider conflicting aspects of my identity.

Reflecting upon times in my childhood spent within various churches, I appropriated Christian symbolism as means to question and reclaim my identity. The images are of elusive figures shrouded in cloth within a body of water, radiant via overexposure or hovering within a void of shadow. Reflecting on the practice of baptism, I contemplate and question the act of cleansing. Can I be cleansed of an aspect of my identity? What hope do I have of finding a point of personal reconciliation within my relationship to God and spirituality?

I by no means reject my spiritual identity as a Christian. However, I do reject harmful values and morals that actively harm and suppress queer, takatapui and gender diverse identities. Through my work, I hope to promote inclusivity as well as provide a space for people to connect and feel seen.

 

his light, their light, my light is the first product of Ilam X SCAPE, a long-term collaboration with the University of Canterbury’s Ilam School of Fine Arts, through which SCAPE provides opportunities for Ilam students and new graduates to develop experience in public art. Piata Otene has just completed the third year of BFA (Hons) at Ilam and was selected for SCAPE Season 2024 by staff there.