TRIGGER WARNING: The content of this video and poem may not be suitable for people who have suffered or are suffering from suicidal thoughts.
KIARA MOHAMED
Kiara Mohamed a Somali, queer multidisciplinary artist based in Liverpool, working in photography, filmmaking, poetry, and artisanal handicraft. His work is primarily concerned with addressing the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and self care.
Founding Mother is a short film and poem exploring the artist’s own personal journey and self-acceptance. Growing up as a gender fluid person (before realising he was in fact trans) using the pronouns he/him, Kiara made the hard decision to leave home to live how he wanted, subsequently being disowned by his family. Through his independence and strong will, Kiara created a safer space and positively changed life for future generations of women in his family, giving them freedom in ways which were not possible before.
Kiara places himself as the future queer foremother reversing generational trauma passed down through his family, starting the healing process and paving a brighter future for his children. Layered on top of archival film footage, the accompanying poem is written in the traditional style of Somali poetry, translated from Swahili to English.
Kiara’s work provides the significant message that utopia isn’t always a far-fetched ideal, but can be achieved by the actions we make and the path we shape for our children.
