It Felt Like Home: Coming-Of-Age Portraits of the LGBTQ+ Community in Athens

During one of my trips back home, I spent a few days in Athens, where I had the opportunity to meet and photograph nine young artists from the LGBTQ+ community. With the help of my friend Evdokia, who lives in Athens, I connected with these artists and arranged to meet them in the city center. Engaging in conversations with each of them was fascinating, and I felt grateful to hear their personal stories.

We discussed what it means to be a queer artist in Athens in 2022, especially against the backdrop of a right-wing government. The pandemic was also a central theme in our conversations, as each artist reflected on how it had reshaped their lives and futures. They described this time as a period of transformation that led to a reevaluation of how they approached life and their work.

I named this project It Felt Like Home because, before moving to London, Athens was my home for four transformative years. In my early twenties, I was on a journey of self-discovery, striving to find my voice and envision my future. At the time, Greece was mired in an economic crisis that hit young people the hardest. Many of us felt we had no choice but to leave, as unemployment soared and opportunities vanished. Alongside the economic struggles, there was a sense of cultural stagnation—young artists often felt stifled in a conservative society that overlooked their work and passions.

With this project, I wanted to capture the shifts that have taken place for young artists in Greece in recent years. Focusing on the LGBTQ+ community felt especially important, as their journeys are shaped by unique challenges, underscoring the urgent need for visibility and recognition of their voices and artistry.