In the midst of the ongoing brutalisation of gay men in the Russian republic of Chechnya, Stephen Fry has dubbed queer, Cork-based artist Stephen Doyle’s work: “part of a tragically necessary resistance movement”. Doyle, who recently visited Moscow and met LGBT people in their homes, has incorporated his experiences there into his work.

His new exhibition at C.I.T. Crawford College of Art and Design, seeks to interpret how the queer community is viewed, how perspective can be tainted by society’s homophobic undertones.

His portraits of Russian LGBTs who have experienced violence, imprisonment, unemployment and abandonment from family and friends, are altered by being observed with the use of opposing mirrors.

“The presence of these queer identities in the work signals a defiance to the mainstream and an embrace of difference, uniqueness, and self- determination,” Doyle says. “It’s a recognition of their existence.”

Last year, Doyle’s work, which payed homage to those who paved the way for marriage equality and LGBT rights in Ireland, was exhibited in the K-Fest music and arts festival in Killorglin, Kerry.

Doyle’s new work will be on display at C.C.A.D’s graduate exhibition, this year at Sharman Crawford Street, opening on June 9 at 6pm and the guest speaker for the evening will be Rory O’Neill, aka Panti.

For more information check out the C.I.T. website here.