Something Was Missing Within

My project Something Was Missing Within explores the claustrophobic pressure of conforming to traditional masculinity. Through my artistic visual language, I visualize an emotional world that is, for a lack of words, not often talked about.

Something Was Missing Within

The concept of masculinity is shifting—and rightfully so. Our traditional image of strong, independent, and unwavering men is beginning to crack. In Europe, approximately 75% of suicides are committed by men—an alarming statistic that raises a fundamental question: How can a patriarchal society, which structurally favors men, simultaneously uphold values that harm them?

In recent years, social media and populist discourse have reinforced gender stereotypes, reviving toxic ideals of masculinity that promote strength and dominance. In certain subcultures, these narratives are regaining influence, reflecting a cultural backlash that not only threatens gender equality but also challenges progress in diversity and inclusion.

The reality is clear: men are not born unemotional, aggressive, or violent. Rather, patriarchal structures and social expectations shape them from an early age. Boys are conditioned to adopt traditional gender roles that leave little room for sensitivity and vulnerability. The outward performance of strength—the illusion of being "invulnerable"—demands the suppression of emotions and the concealment of weakness.

Author and theorist bell hooks encapsulates this dilemma: “The patriarchy demands that men become and remain emotional cripples.”

My project, Something Was Missing Within, examines the social constructs that define traditional masculinity. It explores the claustrophobic nature of self-censorship born form societal pressure. Because these emotions often resist verbal expression, I use photography to visualize this internal world—one that is rarely spoken about.

Through visual disruptions, I intentionally challenge the directness of the photographic medium, focusing not on telling a concrete story but on evoking emotion. In my book, released in May 2024, I extend this approach by incorporating transparent paper, allowing images to merge and form layered visual metaphors. By deconstructing these dynamics, my artistic approach seeks to open space for new, more liberating concepts of masculinity.