Introducing Dave Ward, a photographer from Dortmund, Germany. Dave just finished his BA in photography under the supervision of prof. Kai Jünemann. “It portrays men as victims of the art of seduction and oppression, shows them vulnerable in a society that tries to keep people quiet who do not conform to the middle class version of white heterosexual masculinity. It’s a story told with some fashion aspects and a specific focus on jewelry and accessories. Blood, sweat and tears went into this project.”
“My name’s Dave Ward, I’m a Portrait and Fashion Photographer from Dortmund, Germany. My work is mainly influenced by love, music and personal experiences. The stories I want to tell should contain more than just beautiful pictures, so it’s important to me that they have some relevance and the aesthetic fashion aspect remains secondary.
Succubus, a creature which originated in the human imagination deep in the col- lective unconscious and was upheld as plausible by the patriarchy. It legitimized male control of society and justified the oppression of women and „other“ men.”
“It is the means by which patriarchy has maintained its power. And this is preci- sely why the succubus is so established in our world. This notion of oppression of women, gay men, men of color, immigrant men, in other words, those who do not conform to the middle class version of white, heterosexual masculinity has shaped the psyche of many people. This form of oppression is so deeply ingrai- ned in us that we encounter it at the breakfast table in the morning, at work, at sports, and even in our dating behavior unless we enjoy the privilege of being a white cis man.
The succubus has found its place in patriarchal structures, the film and fashion industries, and interpersonal relationships, and doesn‘t seem to be leaving its made bed anytime soon. When one is struck by the gaze of the succubus, power and control rule over one, from which oppression and suffering arise. The photographic work „Sukkubus“ uses exactly this aspect of oppression and suffering, of men who do not conform to the normative, as well as symbolism of attraction and seduction to show how it feels and how it looks when you are exposed to an unrealizable image of masculinity. A collection of portrayed men, just those who are „different“, who show themselves emotionally and vulnerable, who defy suffering and oppression and also face again the dangerous game of attraction and seduction.”
Photography by Dave Ward / Instagram: @dvewrd
Styling by Bojan Radoja / Instagram: @b_o_j_a_n_r
Hair and Make Up by Alessandro Marino / Instagram: @maleallure
and by Sandra Nixdorf / Instagram: @sandra_nixdorf_
Photo/Video Assistance by Julia Carola Pohle / Instagram: @juliia.carola
and by Nadia Tariq / Instagram: @_nadiatariq
Assistance by Trine Hausmann / Instagram: @gotrinego
and by Leslie Barabasch / Instagram: @lesliebarabasch
Models are Raffael Ciric / Instagram: @the_raffy
Malcolm Fuchs signed at @lemanagement / Instagram: @kingkweku
Philipp Casu / Instagram: @casuphil
Bojan Radoja / Instagram: @b_o_j_a_n_r
Dave Ward / Instagram: @dvewrd
Brands used are:
Alan Crocetti @alancrocetti / Alexa Chung @alexachung / Asos Design @asos /
Bugatti @bugatti / Burton Menswear London @burton_menswear / DesignB @designb_london / Designers Remix @designersremix / Dickies @dickies / Fila @filaeurope /
Icon Brand @iconbrand / Jaded London @jadedldn / Mam @mam /
Martin Asbjorn @martinasbjorn / McNeal @mcneal_clothing /
Morris & Co x H&M @wmorrisandco @hm / Review @review / The Kooples @thekooples / Uncommon Souls @uncommon.souls / Versace @versace / Vibe and Carter @vibeandcarter / Zara @zara
