I’M NOT GHOST, 2024

I’m Not a Ghost is a conceptual photographic series created in collaboration with the nonbinary artist and glassmaker Aullar Mateo. The images portray Aullar’s nude form enveloped in translucent synthetic material, symbolizing the journey from confinement to liberation. Through soft lighting and pastel tones, the series explores identity, self-acceptance, and transformation, using the body as both subject and metaphor.

The project emerged from deep conversations with Aullar about embracing one’s truth—an experience that resonated with both of us. Our shared connection to glassmaking became an entry point for collaboration; its fragile yet strong, rigid yet malleable nature mirrors the complexities of self-discovery. The glassmaking community provided us both with a sense of belonging, reinforcing our bond.

Aullar spoke about seeing their body as a home and the tension between external expectations and personal truth. In the past, they felt like a ghost—unseen and disconnected. Their words became the foundation of this series, reclaiming presence and visibility through art. Just as glass requires both force and care to take shape, I’m Not a Ghost captures the struggle and evolution of claiming one’s space.

During the photo session, Aullar and I worked in complete synchrony, responding to each other’s movements and emotions. What began as a structured concept evolved into something more instinctive, shaped by the trust and energy between us. The performance unfolded in real-time, capturing the rawness of their experience and the act of shedding invisibility.

The seven photographs in this series unfold like frames from a short film, visually tracing Aullar’s struggle against confinement. As they push against the material, they break free—emerging unapologetic and fully present.

In a time when identity and self-expression are increasingly politicized, I’m Not a Ghost is a testament to the necessity of recognition and agency. When people from different backgrounds come together to create, to listen, and to share experiences, positive transformation happens—not just on an individual level, but as a broader cultural shift. By embracing others’ differences, we open ourselves to revealing our own, enriching life with greater authenticity and connection.