ARTIST STATEMENT
Queerantine is a collection of images that capture the wholesomeness and even joy that can still be found during the trauma of COVID-19 and isolation in the queer community over the past year. As we live our lives alone and at home, we gravitate towards the things that keep us connected and feeling safe. Our pets are our lifeline during traumatic events. I want to capture what that looks like in a diverse, intersectional community that is having a collective experience. Photographing queers and their pets at home creates repetition within the images and tells this story visually.
11/2021 - I am currently sending out a pitch for a coffee table book with the first 100 portraits from the project included. If you are a publisher or printer interested in Queerantine Project, reach out to me via the contact link!
06/2021 - Expanding Queerantine up to the Bay Area!
03/2021 - Expanding to San Diego 03/14 & 03/21 all time slots have been booked!
02/2021 - I now have my books open for February 14th in Palm Springs and Joshua tree! you can connect with me here or over direct messages on instagram @queerantine_project to book a time slot. Hurry though, they’re going fast!
01/2021 - I have opened the books again for Queerantine portraits! get in touch through the “contact” tab for inquiries
12/2020 - I have closed my books for this project until further notice to spend time working towards printing it as a coffee table book so that everyone can enjoy these images in a larger scale! (follow @sorrellscrutton on Instagram for updates)
More about Queerantine
As queers not all of us have had the support we've needed throughout our lives and have struggled to be seen. Queerantine is an archival project that started during the Covid-19 lockdown. I was discussing queer isolation with a friend over a Zoom hangout. I spoke about how my dog has been a lifesaver during quarantine. My friend agreed that they couldn't imagine going through this time without their dog. I asked if they would let me come photograph them, their wife and their dogs standing in front of their home. (At a safe distance, of course, and all while wearing a mask.) They agreed, and were very excited at the prospect of getting to do something fun, and like everyone else, they were bored at home all day and stressed out about the state of the world and really wanted a distraction.
As queer folks we have a history with many kinds of isolation throughout our lives. Whether it be rejection from friends, loved ones and family after coming out, growing up in a small town without queer community support, or even going through a bad breakup or divorce, most queers you know have struggled with isolation in some form or another. Being told to stay home and isolate can be pretty scary for anyone, especially those who may not have a traditional family structure or societal support they need.
My goal is to create 100 images of the queer community(currently at 145), with emphasis on inclusivity. Thereby creating a record of what queer community looks like during the COVID-19 pandemic. I recognize that I am not on the front lines of the pandemic and there are other very important stories to be told, but even the boring, mundanity of our lives right now deserves to be recorded and archived. And most importantly SEEN.
Pets have always been lifesavers and I want to show this in my work as a pet photographer. My dog Frankie saved my life a year ago when I experienced a very personal and difficult time that was very isolating. Without her and the support of my community, I'm sure I would not have made it out.
This project is solely funded by donations and I hope to expand by bringing it on the road in 2021 to safely travel to other areas on the West Coast. So far over $1500 in proceeds from donations made to the project have been donated to queer & trans POC individuals in need.
For more images go to @queerantine_project on Instagram
