“I use my photos to say and show what I feel.”
interview by Marius Corbet
How do you feel ? And what if this seemingly simple question actually concealed a deeper truth? With the video that earned him the 2025 Dior Photography Prize, Joel Quayson explores THE most familiar question, the one that could replace a daily greeting, the one that usually serves only as a polite formality. Without ever answering this repeated inquiry, he gets ready on camera to go out for the evening. He applies makeup, adorns himself with rhinestones, and his gaze is fixed deeply into the lens. Suddenly, the video is interrupted by another scene, in which he slips into much more conventional clothing : a white shirt, a cross around his neck. It is the duality of the self that he seeks to convey its paradoxes.
Marius Corbet: Hi Joel, how do you feel?
Joel Quayson: It’s a mix of feelings, I would say. I feel a bit overwhelmed with studying, and I’m also working on a new school project. I’m getting back into the process, and it comes with a lot of emotions. The Dior Prize was kind of like a moment out of time. The fact of winning was a real surprise. I entered the competition because it opens doors. I told myself, “You have to see, let’s try it.” And then I won. I was like, I’m not going there to win at all. Then, “Oh fuck! I really won.” In fact, it really does open doors, but it mostly shows me what I’ve accomplished. What I’m doing, what I was hoping for. It’s really, really nice. Once the competition was over, it was something very pleasant. It happened, and I was able to enjoy the summer. Six months later, I’m still super happy, but I question who I really am now. Am I an artist or a student who is still discovering a huge number of things? Because now I have to show people who I am. So the feeling is a bit divided between this immense joy and the way it also disrupts my life.
MC: Can you introduce yourself to people who don’t know you ?
JQ: I am a photographer who also creates visual art projects. In practice, I don’t only do photography, I do video, I extend my skills to other fields, and I explore. My work deals mostly with the question of identity and its discovery, with things I have lived and that I immortalize. My work looks a bit like a diary. The things I feel become a kind of vocabulary. I use my photos to say and show what I feel.
I am very interested in people who share their stories. My friends, the people I meet, everything is related to identity
I am very interested in people who share their stories. My friends, the people I meet, everything is related to identity
MC: How did your interest in photography first emerge?
JQ: I discovered photography at around 16 through Instagram. It was just for leisure. Then I ended up being inspired by the way people dressed in magazines, by what they showed in their photos. It is also a way for me to feel better, to get in touch with others. I use photography as a way to understand people, but also to understand myself; it is for me an easier way to communicate. At the beginning, it allowed me to communicate with people I knew. I asked my friends to pose; it was easier. Over time, I started photographing strangers, still through shoots, but I could meet them for several minutes. That is also the question. Of course, I wanted to present photos, but when I watched the video, it worked so well. I do not confine myself to photography. I can present a video as a photographer, I can present a book as a photographer… For me, it is easier to talk and explain my story. I think a video says more than a photo.
JQ: I discovered photography at around 16 through Instagram. It was just for leisure. Then I ended up being inspired by the way people dressed in magazines, by what they showed in their photos. It is also a way for me to feel better, to get in touch with others. I use photography as a way to understand people, but also to understand myself; it is for me an easier way to communicate. At the beginning, it allowed me to communicate with people I knew. I asked my friends to pose; it was easier. Over time, I started photographing strangers, still through shoots, but I could meet them for several minutes. That is also the question. Of course, I wanted to present photos, but when I watched the video, it worked so well. I do not confine myself to photography. I can present a video as a photographer, I can present a book as a photographer… For me, it is easier to talk and explain my story. I think a video says more than a photo.
MC: In your view, what sets your work apart from the Dior Prize, especially considering that many participants explored themes related to identity?
JQ: To be honest, I do not compare my work to that of others. I do not know why they chose me rather than someone else. There was another photographer who was shooting drags; it was a project that touched me, trying to understand others through that. I was like, “It’s surely him who will win.” But it was me. I think everyone deserved it.
JQ: To be honest, I do not compare my work to that of others. I do not know why they chose me rather than someone else. There was another photographer who was shooting drags; it was a project that touched me, trying to understand others through that. I was like, “It’s surely him who will win.” But it was me. I think everyone deserved it.
MC: I read the interview you gave to Glamculte, where you described the origins of this short film. Could you expand on that for us?
JQ: The project How do you feel translates into a reflection on two identities. One, with the makeup, is the one I present to people who know who I am. The other is the one my family sees. This is why I wear a serious outfit with a cross around my neck. It symbolizes the conflictual situation between the two personalities inside me. I go out at night, with rhinestones, and I dress in a very colorful and performative way to meet my friends. But when I go back home, I have to take all that off, and I get asked, “But where were you?” Despite that, I still think I am a good Christian. That’s life!
JQ: The project How do you feel translates into a reflection on two identities. One, with the makeup, is the one I present to people who know who I am. The other is the one my family sees. This is why I wear a serious outfit with a cross around my neck. It symbolizes the conflictual situation between the two personalities inside me. I go out at night, with rhinestones, and I dress in a very colorful and performative way to meet my friends. But when I go back home, I have to take all that off, and I get asked, “But where were you?” Despite that, I still think I am a good Christian. That’s life!
MC: You chose not to answer the question “How do you feel?” Why is that?
JQ: It is also because I study in an art school, which wants you to present yourself as an artist. You have to go further to become the one you want. This work is both something very important for me in my relationship with myself, but also in the one I have with art. I have to show it. I did not show it to my parents but to people who do not know me. It is a risk I accept. I am scared, but fuck it.
JQ: It is also because I study in an art school, which wants you to present yourself as an artist. You have to go further to become the one you want. This work is both something very important for me in my relationship with myself, but also in the one I have with art. I have to show it. I did not show it to my parents but to people who do not know me. It is a risk I accept. I am scared, but fuck it.
MC: What does this video represent for you personally? What does it embody?
JQ: At the beginning, I was not really sure about my proposal. Then, when it was presented, I accepted it more. I was also very touched by what people told me. Like “I was really moved, it motivated me.” I even saw people crying. Many people understood. It is not only my story, but it is the story of many people. It is hard to answer but it makes you think.
JQ: At the beginning, I was not really sure about my proposal. Then, when it was presented, I accepted it more. I was also very touched by what people told me. Like “I was really moved, it motivated me.” I even saw people crying. Many people understood. It is not only my story, but it is the story of many people. It is hard to answer but it makes you think.
MC: Do you consider this work to be a defining moment in establishing your presence in the field of photography?
JQ: It opened doors for me, unquestionably. I was asked to write for a book, and curators invited me to take part in exhibitions. My work was also shown at Offscreen. Many people asked me if they could use my work as a reference, and it is a bit crazy. There are many people interested in this, but I am just enjoying the moment.
JQ: It opened doors for me, unquestionably. I was asked to write for a book, and curators invited me to take part in exhibitions. My work was also shown at Offscreen. Many people asked me if they could use my work as a reference, and it is a bit crazy. There are many people interested in this, but I am just enjoying the moment.
MC: If you had to describe your work in one word, what would it be?
JQ: All my work or this work in particular (laughs) ? If I am honest, MESS. I was really working on this video at midnight. I finished at 5 AM, I slept for two hours, and then I went to class.
JQ: All my work or this work in particular (laughs) ? If I am honest, MESS. I was really working on this video at midnight. I finished at 5 AM, I slept for two hours, and then I went to class.
MC: Who is your biggest influence in art?
JQ: I will say the top three that really influence me, oh no four,fuck! Can I say five? For photography, it’s Petra Collins and Ari Versluis. Or also Tyler Mitchell, who photographed Paris. Charli XCX really motivated me; she really helped me. Music also really helped. From her, it’s a kind of lyrics, the energy, the music she makes. It’s also a way of feeling different. She also likes being honest with what she is. Those three photographers really showed me the world as it was created, the elements like beauty, self-discovery in the work also help me in my own creation. I also have Ryan McGinley. Except for Charli, there are only photographers.
JQ: I will say the top three that really influence me, oh no four,fuck! Can I say five? For photography, it’s Petra Collins and Ari Versluis. Or also Tyler Mitchell, who photographed Paris. Charli XCX really motivated me; she really helped me. Music also really helped. From her, it’s a kind of lyrics, the energy, the music she makes. It’s also a way of feeling different. She also likes being honest with what she is. Those three photographers really showed me the world as it was created, the elements like beauty, self-discovery in the work also help me in my own creation. I also have Ryan McGinley. Except for Charli, there are only photographers.
MC: What music do you listen to while creating?
LQ: Charli XCX, that’s for sure. I also listen to Oklou. I will say just listen to the album, mixtapes of DJs on SoundCloud, like techno. Sega Bodega…
LQ: Charli XCX, that’s for sure. I also listen to Oklou. I will say just listen to the album, mixtapes of DJs on SoundCloud, like techno. Sega Bodega…
MC: If you have a favorite picture of yourself, can you share it?
JQ: I will check.
JQ: I will check.
MC: If you have a favorite picture of a crush or best friend, can you share it?
JQ: Actually, I do have it. I feel bad because I cannot. I’m loving too many people. I will send this one to you. It was the day after the ceremony of the Dior contest. I was enjoying myself with my classmates. It was really nice.
JQ: Actually, I do have it. I feel bad because I cannot. I’m loving too many people. I will send this one to you. It was the day after the ceremony of the Dior contest. I was enjoying myself with my classmates. It was really nice.
MC: Unfortunately, this is the end… Thank you very much for your time, Joel. I really appreciate it.
JQ: Thanks, it was cool. See you !