ABOUT

These 10 images are part of a larger series MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK. Malik, an extremely talented music producer, live electronic performer and friend is my subject. This series portrays a journey of self discovery and shedding of self limiting beliefs. It is about the realization that the journey ahead and its outcome rest solely on him. The pain, the drama, the shattered dreams, the lost opportunities and the betrayals can either continue to hold him back and keep him stuck or can fuel the determination and commitment to never again walk with slumped shoulders, feeling small or less than. They show Malik on the brink of stepping out and up, to once again honour himself as he so rightfully should and no longer be held prisoner by anybody including himself. MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK, is a story shared my many, myself included.

“A change is gonna come” Seal

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 1
Judgement, criticism, alienation, abandonment and bullying are just a few ways one may begin the rollercoaster ride of self doubt.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 2
We forget who we are and we begin to take on certain roles that have been assigned to us by others who believe they are entitled to draw the parameters of our individual boxes.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 3
There is a longing to reconnect.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 4
Those times are often filled with as much doubt and confusion as to who or what we are reconnecting to.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 5
Malik, like myself, has begun the process of distancing himself from those who planted seeds of self doubt.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 6
The most difficult part of the journey is the self realization of how strongly we began identifying with other peoples’ perception of us.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 7
We allowed it to dictate our approach to life and our interaction with others.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 8
It also dictated our ability to express our real selves. Over time, we built stronger, higher walls.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 9
We no longer needed society to confine us. We, with our learned self limiting beliefs became our own best jailers.

MISUNDERSTANDING MALIK 10
Over time we slowly start to make out what is ours and what is theirs. What is real and what is an act. We look in the mirror. We see how far we have come and we hesitantly peel another layer, shedding another mask. It is no longer about them, we remember about being authentic to ourselves. Shining for ourselves.