close encounters

Transgender women in Mumbai

This series is a selection of the PhD research I conducted for my doctoral degree at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Antwerp.

For my doctorate, I researched the use of photography to create understanding and rapport among groups that harbor high levels of hatred toward each other.

Next, I developed my own photographic method to communicate emotions and create deep understanding among transgender women and students in Mumbai (India).

High levels of stigmatization prevent transgender women from participating in mainstream society and attending college/university.

This series shows a glimpse into the lives of the 41 transgender women who welcomed me into their homes.

I dedicate my work to my mother, Kashish, my transgender friend, and Shivam, my Indian assistant, who sadly all passed away after the completion of this research.