Fine Art nominee

The project investigates my identity as it relates to gender, my family and history as a young man growing up in Asia. In 1997 when The Financial Crisis swept through Asia. My family was one of many who were faced with extreme financial hardship. Due to economic reasons and other circumstances I didn't understand, my parents decided to raise me as a girl. Whatever belonged to my sisters was passed on to me with no other option. I wore their clothes and played with thires toys. I used to perform as their little princess, dress as a girl, while wearing makeup and wigs. Growing up with my father’s Chinese influence, It was common and a tradition for parents to raise their sons as a girl in order to protect them from superstition. It sounds admirable, but my protection was not the priority. I was not able to express myself for fear of punishment. My sisters were spoiled while I was physically abused by my parents. There was a clear, gender based double standard. It was very confusing as a kid to be dressed as one gender, but accountable to the harsh standard of another.

Mark is a photographer from Thailand, currently living in Los Angeles. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Film from RSU (Rangsit University in Thailand). He is presently an MFA student in Photography at The Photo Arts Conservatory of NYFA (The New York Film Academy) With a strong background in commercial photography working for Thailand's largest entertainment company, GMM (Grammy), his images are technically skillful and evocative. After honing his craft in the entertainment world, Mark turned the gaze of his camera awards underrepresented communities to bring forth greater good.