Must-see: Daniel Jack Lyons' exhibition at Melkweg Expo

Looking for something fun AND meaningful to do this Saturday? Seek no further: Melkweg Expo will open its doors for ‘Like a River’  for a festive opening of Daniel Jack Lyons’ first Dutch solo-exhibition! His images are striking, tender, and inherently political – a must-see if you ask us. Daniel will also be there himself for a Q&A, and the night will be ended with a DJ set by DIORA, who we all remember from her powerful set at Glamcult Selects #3 of course 🙂

Determined to visualise the social and political rights of underrepresented communities, Lyons creates a depiction of Amazonian transgender and queer communities that is simultaneously vulnerable and powerful.  With his background in social and medical anthropology, he explores concepts such as identity, transformation, and coming-of-age stories of these marginalised communities in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest. Here, deeply rooted indigenous traditions and modern identity politics intersect in a kind of safe space, sheltered by the rainforest.

Mindful of the dangers of becoming voyeuristic – Lyons is very aware of the power dynamic that is at play while photographing this group (him being a queer, white foreigner), thus sets the rules to always photograph in a collaborative effort with the subject, only photograph when invited to do so, and never photograph someone the first time he meets them. This way he tries to understand their motives, identities, and desires, so he is able to portray these people how they want to be seen. Often this is tied to breaking stereotypes of what people think the Amazon indigenous community looks like. His rules result in honest and emotive portraits that are waiting for you to be seen… this Saturday at 17:00.