We’re currently living in a time where the boxes of gender and sexuality are being re-shaped and re-defined everyday. There is a growing social conscious of the fluidity of identity, and R&B singer Julian King is more than just a part of that conversation, he’s an image of it as well. Whether or not you’ve heard of King through his viral, impromptu double dutch video on Instagram or his time on singing the competition show, The Voice, he’s a name you should know. King is proudly and visibly Black, gay and not afraid to push the bounds of what it means to be a Black gay man in today’s world.
Recently, a photoshoot centering King, shot by Amadeus Purcell, was picked up by Italian Vogue for their catalogue.
“I am committed to using my creative platform to explore the idea of redefining masculinity and challenging the ideas around such, I am grateful that the liberties I took in this photoshoot led to such as sweet and unexpected reward,” King said in a statement. “I want to thank Amadeus Purcell for such a beautiful shoot and clearly a compelling and engaging photo”
The theme of the shoot, “soft masc,” is an exploration of masculinity and its intricacies, how the concept of traditional masculinity is being re-thought, especially by artists who are more aware of the fluidity and marginalization within identity. The photographer of the shoot, Amadeus Purcell, believes that being a Black photographer opens up more windows for discussion about these topics, and sees it as an opportunity open doors to new concepts.
“The moment Julian told me that the theme of the shoot was ‘soft masc’, I was instantly intrigued. Julian and I had captured some magical moments in the past, so I knew these photos would be our opportunity to push the envelope even further. As a Black photographer belonging to so many different communities, I understand my responsibility to create art that sparks conversation or inspires the viewer to explore new perspectives.” Purcell told GRAZIA. “Coming from a small town in the south, I learned early that if others cant see the bigger picture it’s your job to paint it. I remember growing up with so many unanswered questions about masculinity and identity as a whole. I remember having such a narrow view of what it meant to be masculine— before choosing to redefine it for myself. I knew I had to venture out to find my identity —one no longer influenced by community/group thought.”
Purcell continues, “Im so grateful to live in the new age of masculinity. One where we have the chance to fully explore both our soft and masculine sides through fashion — a place where they can coexist. I have always admired Julian’s ability to do this. These photos are only a testament to how complex we are not only as artist but as human beings.“
But while a lot of this discussion often revolves around intersectionality of identity, there’s an innate human aspect to these photographs that is encapsulated in the concept of raw beauty, beauty in the eye of the beholder, masculinity defined on its own terms. When asked by GRAZIA about this aspect of representation and identity in the photographs, King told us that for him, this photoshoot was not about sexuality, but the universal experience of “feeling good.”
“One of the greatest powers we have is the freedom to express ourselves through fashion. I often fluctuate and challenge the idea of masculinity, and how it shows up in different spaces. This shoot was just that; an exploration into the definition of masculinity, to each his own definition.” King told GRAZIA. “The delicate balance between where masculinity leaves, and feminist is invited. In my every day, I’m very ‘boy presenting’ so it was really fun to feel pretty for once. To me, this shoot has nothing to do with sexuality, but everything to do with feeling good; a human experience.”
