Pride Exhibition: Heikki Pölönen - The Bear's Gaze

Bears are known in queer circles as a body-positive community where everyone can be themselves. But how does a bear see himself - and could photography help one see oneself with greater acceptance? Visual journalism master Heikki Pölönen seeks answers through photography.

Thus "The Bear's Gaze" was born, an exhibition about self-portraiture and community. The people in these images are not passive subjects but active participants: each has chosen how they wish to be seen. The photo sessions offer a space to pause and reflect on one's own relationship to bear culture, and Pölönen's role is to walk alongside in the process, finding through photographs the sides that feel good to those being photographed.

The exhibition also highlights those who keep Finland's bear culture alive - people who make enormous efforts so that others can feel belonging on sweaty dance floors and embrace-filled evenings, and be seen for who they are.