Mythos Series
“Mythos” series by LGBTQ photo artist
“We need myths that will identify the individual not with his local group but with the planet.”
― Joseph Campbell, Power of Myth
Myth has always played a profound role in shaping both individual consciousness and collective understanding. It is a cornerstone of planetary mental integrity, guiding how societies interpret the world and how individuals connect to their inner lives. From early childhood, we grow up with myths; they become the scaffolding upon which we build our perception of reality. As Carl Jung observed, “Myths are original revelations of the preconscious psyche, involuntary statements about unconscious psychic happenings, and anything but allegories of physical processes.”
In this sense, myth is not a relic of the past—it is a living language, essential for every social group and every age. Yet somewhere along the way, we lost the thread of Queer Myth. As an LGBTQ+ photo artist, I believe that direct expression of political issues is vital in both art and social studies. But this does not mean we must abandon myth, especially queer myth. Allegory has always been a vital part of the creative process, offering a symbolic dimension that expands the reach of political and humanitarian messages.
My work does not propose a complete shift into the dream world, but rather an integration: understanding that messages of liberation, justice, and identity can—and should—be delivered through multiple channels. Myth, with its universal resonance, is one of the most powerful approaches to communicate these truths.
This is why I began the project “Queer Myth Renaissance.” Through this work, I seek to reclaim myth as a queer language of transformation, a bridge between the subconscious and the social, between the intimate and the universal. By invoking myth, I aim to reach wider audiences, opening minds and hearts in ways that transcend conventional discourse. Myth allows us to imagine beyond boundaries, to heal, and to envision futures where queer identities are not erased but celebrated as integral to the human story.
Although many of the images created by Boston-based gay photo artist Dmitriy Gushchin have been banned by Instagram and other platforms under the label of “containing nudity,” Dmitriy views this as part of a broader pattern of anti-LGBTQ censorship. What began as his visionary series “Obscure Dream Liberation” has unexpectedly evolved into what he now calls the “Instagram Nightmare”—a confrontation with the limits imposed on queer artistic expression in digital spaces.
At present, Dmitriy’s Instagram account is “shadow blocked,” appearing private to non-subscribers and restricting visibility of his work. Yet this suppression only underscores the urgency of defending LGBTQ+ rights and freedom of expression. Art should never be silenced for its honesty, vulnerability, or celebration of queer identity.
By subscribing and following accounts like Dmitriy’s, you stand in solidarity with queer artists who refuse to be erased. He is not alone—this is a collective struggle, and every voice matters. Together, we can resist censorship and affirm the power of queer creativity.
You can read more in the article linked below.
You can check the article by clicking the link: https://www.advocate.com/business/instagram-shadowbanning-lgbtq-content . Please support your favarite gay photographer and LGBTQ photo artist community by expressing your oppinion to Instagram and other anti-gay social networks. Your oppinion hopefully can make the difference!
Little Prince
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer. Little Prince reimagines a beloved literary icon through a queer, cosmic lens. A young figure reclines on ancient stone steps, their harness and platform boots transforming them into a symbol of queer self-possession and vulnerability. Above their outstretched hand floats a radiant planet—an entire world held in a gesture, suggesting the power LGBTQ+ people have to shape their own universes despite inherited boundaries. Nearby, another glowing sphere encases a single red rose, honoring the original tale while recasting it as a symbol of queer love, devotion, and chosen connection. In the lower right corner, a pair of fox ears appears—a subtle, playful tribute to the story’s most iconic companion, now woven into a surreal queer dreamscape. Little Prince becomes an act of reclamation: a myth transformed into a celebration of queer imagination, resilience, and the worlds we dare to create.
Prometheus
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer Prometheus reimagines the ancient myth through a bold, gender-bending lens. Set within a vast, industrial environment that resembles the interior of an alien spacecraft, the figure reaches upward to grasp a blazing sphere of stolen cosmic fire. Their body is wrapped in swirling energy, transforming the act of rebellion into an expression of queer resilience and creation. In this retelling, Prometheus is no longer a bound titan but a liberated, empowered body—claiming light not for humankind alone, but for all who have been denied visibility, safety, and self-determination. The metallic labyrinth around them becomes a symbol of societal machinery, rigid and oppressive, while the luminous flames they command evoke the transformative power of queer imagination. Prometheus celebrates the courage to seize one’s own fire—to defy imposed roles, transcend binaries, and illuminate new futures forged in authenticity and defiance.
Tango
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This image is a result of working with two young talented models during my visit to New York City. Although their images were taken separately and they never met each other, I felt very mysterious connection between them. I was able to express my feelings with some digital manipulation.
Macbeth
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer. Macbeth offers a queer, contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy. Inspired by a recent Broadway production in which actors seamlessly shifted between roles, Dmitriy merges Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into a single gender-neutral performer—embodying the full spectrum of ambition, desire, fragility, and fate. The figure sits in an opulent, dreamlike chamber, their pose tense with both power and uncertainty. Above them, a blurred, swirling mass forms a colossal crown—a visual metaphor for the overwhelming force of destiny and the crushing weight of ambition. Ghostlike figures move through the scene, echoing fractured identity, shifting roles, and the haunting psychological unraveling central to the play. The blood-stained dagger at their feet grounds the image in the tragedy’s violent core. This reinterpretation celebrates gender fluidity and the queer tradition of reinventing classic stories—reframing Macbeth as a tale of identity tested, ambition awakened, and the perilous seduction of power.
Salome (collaboration with Yoahn Han)
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer YoAhn Han yupo cutout The artists created a modern version of the biblical legend.
Mata Hari
Dmitriy Gushchin, photographer. Mata Hari pays homage to the legendary performer Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, whose life, artistry, and unjust execution have long fascinated Dmitriy. Once celebrated for her exotic dance and fearless self-invention, Mata Hari was later scapegoated—MI5 documents declassified in 2001 and French government papers released in 2017 strongly suggest that her 1917 execution was based on politics, not proof. Even the bizarre disappearance of her preserved head in the 1950s underscores how history has repeatedly mishandled her legacy. This artwork reimagines Mata Hari’s spirit through a queer lens: three figures embody glamour, performance, seduction, and defiance inside a richly lit salon. Their high-heeled stances, glittering costumes, and commanding presence evoke a lineage of performers who—like Mata Hari—crafted their own identities against rigid societal expectations. Mata Hari becomes a tribute not only to a misunderstood icon, but to all queer bodies who have been punished for their audacity, their beauty, and their refusal to conform.
Napoleon’s Dream
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer New war brought a lot of historical and mystical themes as an inspiration to this photo.
Desdemona
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This composite photograph is a new interpretation of "Othello", setting classic play free from gender and racial stigma.
Romeo and Juliet
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer Boston based artist's modern gay take on William Shakespeare's play. This is yet another photo which doesn't contain any nudity and banned by Instagram's AI. You can still find censored version there. The artist believes the ban came rather in violation of LGBTQ+ rights as in the artist's opinion Instagram and other sites peruse on everyday basis. The other much more provocative and really nude non-LGBTQ photos are OK on Instagram! Welcome to hate-free site where you can enjoy LGBTQ art without censorship!
Ophelia
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This photo is Boston based photographer's modern gay take on William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".
Saint George
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer Boston based gay artist re-told the origin of forgotten Saint George's story with a modern twist. Original legend (which has nothing to do with real Roman solder George) Saint George fought the dragon to save the princess. Lately, everyone tried to forget the princess portraying the saint saving the humanity (not the princess) form the beast.
Hamlet
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This photo is Boston based artist's modern gay take on William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet".
The Secret
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
Hotel “Desire”
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
Selene’s Call
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This image of deep contemplation is a modern interpretation of ancient Greek myth about Endymion and Selene. I found it intercorrelated with the modern condition of LGBTQ+ international community in the light of the hostility of international politics towards it. The photo of my model is taken in Bangkok while the surroundings are from deep forest of Thailand.
The Spiral
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer This is a composite portrait of my friend in a spiral of thoughts about the gender. My photo on the background is adding to the mood. The last few years LGBTQ+ community was hit hard by politics around the globe. The most shocking part of this unfortunate process is a silence of the general public. This double portrait is about spiral of the evolution of political gender tolerance, is it going up or down?
Memories of Narcissus
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
Rose Thorn and Puppy
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
The Ghost
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
Dream of Luna Moth
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
Ganymede
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
The Legend of Ching Shih / Zheng Yi Sao
Dmitriy Gushchin photographer
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