WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
OF VISUAL ARTIST JOÃO DELFIM
PRINTMAKING / ART DIRECTION / VIDEO / POETRY
Hydrotherapy plays on the idea of having to navigate negative or violent reactions, comments or outside-looks after coming out as gay. This self-published zine guides the reader through a series of small, mysterious photographic vignettes, created from a recollection of bathing and shower scenes from television series — notably American Horror Story, Riverdale, How to Get Away with Murder and more — in which male characters are either intimate with one another or are presented in a homoerotic fashion.
There is, however an invisible menace spreading throughout the pages, which were conceived as the walls of a ceramic tiled bathhouse, thus culminating in a tragic ending. The pink paper references the diluted blood washed-out from trembling hands, going down the bathtub drain, as we quickly understand that a crime has been committed.
There is, however an invisible menace spreading throughout the pages, which were conceived as the walls of a ceramic tiled bathhouse, thus culminating in a tragic ending. The pink paper references the diluted blood washed-out from trembling hands, going down the bathtub drain, as we quickly understand that a crime has been committed.
Though playful in its referencing of the Horror and Whodunit genres, very popular in contemporary television programs, Hydrotherapy is, at its heart, a visual representation of the sense of danger and vulnerability one can feel as a Queer person looking for any sort of intimate relationship out in a world that isn’t always welcoming.
As part of the zine, I wanted to honor one of the most important depictions of gay love I’ve witnessed on TV, growing up. Connor and Oliver’s endgame romance in How to Get Away with Murder truly was game-changing for Queer representation on mainstream television — the Shonda Rhimes audiovisual universe was a pioneer in pushing many important social themes forward.
As I started watching the show when I was around nineteen, I was also experiencing one of my first relationships with a boy. Throughout six years of strong narratives and much suspense, I found myself coming back every week for a new episode. Though the plot twists and mystery were delightful, it was Connor and Oliver’s story that kept me wanting to dive back into that world. To me, Jack Falahee and Conrad Ricamora created one of the most vivid, compelling — at times heartbreaking, though always heartwarming — portrayals of gay love in the history of modern television.
As part of the zine, I wanted to honor one of the most important depictions of gay love I’ve witnessed on TV, growing up. Connor and Oliver’s endgame romance in How to Get Away with Murder truly was game-changing for Queer representation on mainstream television — the Shonda Rhimes audiovisual universe was a pioneer in pushing many important social themes forward.
As I started watching the show when I was around nineteen, I was also experiencing one of my first relationships with a boy. Throughout six years of strong narratives and much suspense, I found myself coming back every week for a new episode. Though the plot twists and mystery were delightful, it was Connor and Oliver’s story that kept me wanting to dive back into that world. To me, Jack Falahee and Conrad Ricamora created one of the most vivid, compelling — at times heartbreaking, though always heartwarming — portrayals of gay love in the history of modern television.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT
ALL ARTWORKS ARE ORIGINAL CREATIONS.
© 2024 JOÃO DELFIM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ALL ARTWORKS ARE ORIGINAL CREATIONS.
© 2024 JOÃO DELFIM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.