Jac Lynch

In a recorded interview held on May 31, 2015, at Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, photographer Jac Lynch discusses the inception, development, and reception of the "Butch on Butch" photographic project with interviewer Karen Harris. The conversation delves into important perspectives on identity and community engagement, musing over the dynamics of self-identification, the challenges faced, and the process of bringing together a diverse group of participants for the exhibition.

Originally inspired by the work of Meg Allen, a photographer from San Francisco, Jac Lynch sought to create a similar exhibition that reflected the butch identity within the Wellington community. This endeavor began with the simple act of creating a Facebook page to garner interest and participants. However, Lynch quickly learned a critical lesson in sensitivity and the complexity of personal identity. Initially reaching out directly to potential subjects, Lynch discovered that not everyone shared the same identification with the term 'butch,' prompting a shift to a more open and self-selective participant recruitment strategy.

The exhibition "Butch on Butch," presented at Photospace Gallery, featured photographs of individuals who identified as butch or were perceived as such by others. Participants were given autonomy to choose the locations and props for their portraits, thereby incorporating elements significant to their personal narratives. Complementing the visual exhibition, narratives written by the participants themselves provided a more profound understanding of their experiences and identities.

The reaction to the "Butch on Butch" project was one of deep interest and engagement both within the queer community and beyond. The exhibition received significant attention, including a feature in the Dominion Post, which brought greater visibility to the concept of Butch identity and provoked public discourse. Further, the entire project was marked by strong community participation, from the photos—returned to the participants post-exhibition—to the narratives that accompanied them, encapsulating the subjects' voices.

Through the course of the project, Lynch came to appreciate the wide-ranging connotations and interpretations of the term 'butch,' learning from the participants about the diversity within this identity and confronting assumptions about sexual orientation. This inclusivity led to a rich tapestry of subjects, although Lynch hoped for even broader representation, noting an absence of individuals from certain demographics. The project culminated with a series of interviews hosted by PrideNZ.com, which aimed to delve deeper into the participants' personal experiences and interpretations of butch identity.

Looking back on the "Butch on Butch" project, Lynch reflects on the lessons learned in project management and ideas for future community-based projects. With a focus on the importance of personal engagement and trust between the photographer and subjects, Lynch highlights the courage of participants and the warmth of the Wellington community which supported the exhibition's success. The interview ultimately underscores the potential for similar initiatives to spark dialogue, promote inclusivity, and highlight unique individual experiences within the larger queer community.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Jac Lynch

2010s, aotearoa new zealand, arts, butch, butch on butch (exhibition/series), dominion post (newspaper), exhibition, facebook.com, femme, identity, jac lynch, jenny o'connor, karen harris, lesbian, masculinity, media, meg allen, māori, photography, photospace gallery, sexuality, social media, storytelling, visible - 60 women at 60 (book), wahine toa, wellington, writing

balance, board, community, confidence, conversation, diversity, expression, family, friends, gallery, gay, gender, gender identity, history, hit, hope, individual, language, love, mentor, narrative, other, people, queer, respect, running, san francisco, sexual orientation, social, space, spark, straight, stuff, support, time, touch, trust, understanding, voice, volunteer, wisdom, work