By Paul Hang

Visual artist Jamil Hellu described himself as a “flamboyant” and “expressive” kid growing up, but it wasn’t until later in life that he learned his peers did not consider those attributes manly.

“I had to really, sort of . . . Really age to kind of embody a different version of myself,” Hellu said.“It had to do with, again, what does it mean to be a man in the world?” 

It was not until 2005 that Hellu saw a photo of three gay teenagers executed in Iran that he realized the power of photography, which inspired him to embark on his own photography career.

The significance of that photo left an impact on Hellu where the photo could lead a lot of meanings and words to the viewer.

“I didn’t know that homosexuality was punished by death, by law in some country,” Hellu said. 

Hellu discussed his photographic and video installations revolving around queer sexuality, cultural identity and masculinity among gay men during Tuesday’s art lecture series at San Jose State.

The photos that were shown ranged from personal photos of Hellu and his friends and family. Hellu explained that these photos were to capture the “everydayness” that people go through.

“I start to use my camera to think about intimacy, to think about people who are part of my community, people who are friends,” Hellu said.

Some of the photos Hellu showed in his lecture followed a theme of intimate feelings toward his husband.

Most of the photos taken with his husband were at home to show the experience of masculinity between two men living at home together.

Hellu’s husband, Darrin, is also a visual artist and comic book aficionado. Hellu pulled up a picture of his husband wearing a cape which he considers to be a “relic” for his work.

This cape later became inspiration for more of Hellu’s work.

Hellu made a series called “Guardians of the Golden Gate” in 2012-13 revolving around alter egos or personas. The series had the subjects wearing costumes to express their ideology and identity.

“It’s this idea of identity. It’s [the] idea of drag even, it’s [the] idea of . . . I have to wear this costume to present yourself a certain way,” Hellu said.

He also discussed his recent work titled “HUES.” The photos follow a theme of color and culture identity within the LGBTQ+ community.

The project focuses on Hellu and various collaborators as subjects of the portraits over colorful background and decorated costumes.

He considers the project to be a “mechanical” process as Hellu and his collaborators have to discuss what they want their shots to be like.

“We think about what we’re wearing,” Hellu said.

The lecture received positive reception among art students and attendees. 

Digital media art graduate student Shi Yao Lin praised Hellu’s work and his evolution as a photographer.

Lin mentioned that a course she’s taking corresponds with the lecture’s content.

“We’re exploring for serious health photograph, so this can be an inspiration,” Lin said.

Photography junior Mel Chircop found the lecture to be inspiring as a fellow photographer who has projects in the work.

“I was just really inspired by his work and how deep he was able to put his own self in his work,” Chircop said.