lucien v. sebastian

I see sanctuary within segments of the sun’s light settling gently upon stretches of land and lengths of walls, an indiscriminate blanket of warmth. The falling light brings with it reverence to what it touches, though it does not remain in one place for long, influenced by time and the changing of seasons. The reach of this golden blanket of illumination is domineered by structures erected by man or destroyed by nature, erected by nature or destroyed by man, embracing all it can despite this lack of control.

I watch the light fall, and I find myself intrigued by how it wraps around objects and adjusts to what it is subjected to – yet always remains true to itself. The sun continues to extend its rays to the Earth, fingertips dragging over all in its path, like a soft, appreciative touch that will slowly be taken away, only to return with the dawning of the next day.

I capture the sun as it cups the cheeks of my lover, as it warms the fur of my cats, as it peers through the windows of my home and rests upon my walls. I capture the sun as it extends upon sidewalks and roads, encouraging growth and bringing with it kisses of comfort, loving and unashamed. The sun shows me my sanctuary, it illuminates that which I hold dear, its presence slows the passage of time for only a moment. It allows me to be swallowed up in tenderness for what is dear to me, my current place in this world, and for how far I have come in this life.

Sanctuary is a collection and celebration of my queerness; with the images guided by the presence of light and the moments of reflection it sparks. Sanctuary is a place of unashamed self and wholeness, offering the freedom to simply be without fear or apology. Sanctuary learns from the sun how to withstand the trials of time, how to be flexible when not in control, how to remain without remorse when faced with adversity. I invite you into a glimpse of my Sanctuary, taken for what it is, what it can be, and what it will be.