In a stunning tribute to ancient Greece’s male beauty, photographer Helias Doulis has captured a series of photographs that challenge gender stereotypes and reimagine traditional notions of masculinity. Titled “Queer Greco Romance,” the collection features images of workers amidst ruins, with Athena’s lustful gaze upon them as they caress and fight. Doulis uses his voyeuristic documentation to shed light on symbols of an era rooted in the male physique magazines of the 1950s and 60s, while also translating a photographic modus operandi of male beauty through the lens of his own queerness.
Through his photography, Doulis examines the bodies of workers and sculptures, highlighting the construction of robust conventions while intensifying the homoerotic axis of nostalgia. By featuring modern statues alongside ancient icons, Doulis breathes new life into immortalized works that have fought for our community’s censorship in the arts. The images in “Queer Greco Romance” invite the viewer to step into a world of queer beauty and ancient Greece, where gender and sexuality are explored with reverence and daring.
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Doulis’ work is a powerful reminder that representation matters, particularly for members of the LGBT community who have historically been marginalized and excluded from traditional notions of beauty and masculinity. Through his lens, he offers a new perspective on male beauty that challenges societal norms and celebrates diversity. As we continue to push for greater visibility and acceptance, Doulis’ “Queer Greco Romance” reminds us that art has the power to spark change and inspire us to embrace our true selves.
