In the face of brutalism: Pride. Consent. Freedom.
In the face of Brutalism, created by Ulas Uygun, Irena Mila, Shaief Bunsee, and Carmen Ruggeri, is a collection of art created with inspiration from Yugoslavian brutalism. Photographs of 8 men; in front of 8 Dutch brutalist buildings; each accompanied by poetic verses, interpret the structures of the buildings as representative of the strength of the LGBTQIA+ community. Yet, the brutalist aspect reflects sexual violence within the community.
Brutalism in Yugoslavia was designed to convey a strength, stability, and social progress. The buildings are built on a grand scale, often with masses of concrete, with an intimidating effect. In the face of Brutalism conveys the strength of overcoming the experience of sexual violence, against stigma, shame, and a lack of support. In postage stamp symbols, representing the communication of the experience, small characters are seen jumping over the structures, overcoming the experience in a powerful and energetic way. These, accompanied by photographs of 8 men, taken by Irena Mila and Carmen Ruggeri, in front of each structure.
Poetry by Shaeif Bunsee harrowingly shares the experience itself, in a body that takes back power from the abuser and creates a community inclusive of survivors.
For MenAsWell’s pride street campaign, the slogan Pride. Consent. Freedom. was born to powerfully yet softly proclaim: without consent, we have no freedom.
More details on the artwork by Ulas Uygun can be found here
About the creative team:
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Born in 1987 in Aydin, Turkey, Ulas is an Amsterdam-based new media artist and creative entrepreneur. His art practice focuses on the general theme of healing at the intersection of intercultural dialogue, mental health and LGBTQ+ communities. Viewing healing as a positive process of rediscovering one’s true self after a long period of breakdown, trauma or downturn, Ulas himself identifies strongly with the concept, having initially taken up painting as an outlet for his personal healing process. Having grown up as a gay man in a small, Turkish town in the 90s, he moved from Istanbul to Amsterdam in 2017, opening his creative studio WOO Branding the next year.
His work continues to be exhibited internationally. His last solo exhibition Purple Passport took place in Amsterdam in 2022, tracing queer stories from Istanbul and Amsterdam.
Besides his art practice, Ulas continues to produce visual storytelling with an artistic flair for brands and businesses alike under his Amsterdam-based creative studio WOO Branding.
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Irena Mila is a digital marketer and photographer whose work has left an indelible mark on the world of art and social justice. Born in Skopje, Macedonia, in 1983, she now resides in Amsterdam, where she continues to create powerful images that inspire, educate, and challenge.
Through her lens, Irena Mila captures the beauty and complexity of the world around us, highlighting both the joys and struggles of life. Her exhibitions in Cologne, Belgrade, New Delhi, and Macedonia have showcased her remarkable ability to tell visual stories.
She is a passionate advocate for marginalized communities. Her work as a digital marketer has allowed her to work on projects that connect with those who are often overlooked and ignored, giving voice to the voiceless.
Through her work, Irena Mila demonstrates the power of visual storytelling to inspire empathy, understanding, and change. She shows us that every person has a story worth telling, and that it is through listening and learning that we can begin to make a difference in the world.
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Born in 1995 in Puglia, Carmen is an Amsterdam-based photographer who inherited her passion for photography from her father, a typesetter who traveled worldwide.
Thanks to her father's stories, she developed a great curiosity and love for photography.
She studied in the multimedia and audiovisual sector, specializing in photography.
Her passion for travel and the discovery of new cultures led her to participate in an intercultural school project in Turkey, organizing her first exhibition entitled "Istanbul: Between East and West".
She participated in a school event for graphic sculpture and photography, "Poverty and Freedom, Beauty of Things," winning the first prize held in Copertino (IT). She also attended two professional workshops: "Workflow Progress and Development of Digital Images" and "Master Class Top Landscape" in Rome (IT), held by Giovanna Griffo.
She participated in the 2016 "Discover Barcelona" and 2023 "Discover Amsterdam" photographic projects held by "Let Me Italian You" in collaboration with photographers "Nanda Hagennars and Lucia Heister". Obtained a certificate signed by all the partners and "Institut D'Estudis fotogràfics de Catalunya, Spain".
Her photographic technique combines the beauty of Hopper's realism with her great passion for street photography and sharp contrasts of light and shadow. She is also attached to analog photography, loving the process of developing photos and film rolls.
Her art is a mix of technique, emotion, and sensitivity that makes her a highly talented artist. Her shots capture the beauty of the essence of the moment uniquely and excitingly, with particular attention to detail.
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Shaief Bunsee an erudite and intellectually astute artist, writer, art director, philosopher, and esotericist hailing from Amsterdam, deftly channels the indomitable and intrinsic force of nature that permeates his being. Through a multifaceted artistic repertoire, Shaief orchestrates a symphony of exploration, unveiling the profound interrelation between humanity and the natural world, while adroitly imbuing his creations with philosophical and esoteric underpinnings.
Shaief erected the conceptual scaffolding that undergirds his artistic expedition, venturing into the abyssal nexus of nature, spirituality, and the human condition. Acutely cognizant of the impelling force of nature coursing through his veins, Shaief meticulously harnesses this wellspring of inspiration, propelling his artistic pursuits with unwavering determination.
Proudly supported by:
Fonds SlachtofferHulp
Pride Amsterdam
I am humbled and honored to be a part of a project with such a powerful message. As a photographer and a digital marketer, I have always believed that art has the power to heal and transform society. And this project, created in collaboration with MenAsWell, is a true testament to that belief.
But this project is about so much more than just photography. It's about using art to shed light on the brutal reality of sexual violence within the LGBTQIA+ community. It's about starting a conversation and creating a community that is inclusive and supportive of survivors.
I am grateful for the collaboration with Thomas Garrod-Pullar and the team at MenAsWell, as well as Ulas Uygun, Shaief Bunsee, and Carmen Ruggeri, who brought their unique talents and perspectives to the project. Together, we have created something truly special, a collection of art that speaks to the strength and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.
