Aaron James Talks Curating and Creating on Instagram
The visually obsessed homo, as he describes himself, Manchester-based, Aaron James’ Instagram is a mix of homoerotics, art, fashion and pure punk. Aaron is a queer model, promoting sexual positivity and exploring identity. He curates his feed with iconic moments that romanticize and highlights queer history.
James spoke with gggaaallleeerrryyy about curating his works and creating on social media.
Image: Aaron James by Aida
gggaaallleeerrryyy: Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started and how you found your "voice" on Instagram?
Aaron James: When I first started using Instagram, I never thought that much of it and I hardly ever used it. However, over time I got sucked in. Today, my feed is really important to me, and that may sound silly to some, but it’s true. I suffer from depression and anxiety, which can be difficult at times, and somehow, Instagram became my place of refuge. I started to post things which almost helped me get out of what I was feeling. I'd make collages with images that reflected my mood and shoot myself in situations that did that as well. About three years ago, I started to post in threes, so each row is kind of its own little story, a form of expression for me.
gggaaallleeerrryyy: How do you choose what to feature on your feed?
AJ: A lot of the works that I share are by artists I admire, whose work inspires me. I only genuinely share artworks that I love and would have in my house if I could. Having a creative output is really important to me, I have others as well, but I see Instagram as a major part of it. I enjoy pulling together images and sharing them. I am a very visually stimulated person so, always having something new to look at helps keep my mind going. I also created artworks that I am so proud of and happy that I have been able to put into the world. It drives me to do and aspire to more, so I guess, watch this space and see what happens.
gggaaallleeerrryyy: How did being so visible online influence your life?
AJ: Being visible on social media helped me to connect with people all over the world. I have met so many amazing people through Instagram and had some amazing opportunities, all of them, I would have never had if it was not for my presence online.
I have had the opportunity to model for editorials that have been published in online and print publications such as: Dear Boy Magazine, Shot by Josh Cadogan, Vogue Italia, shot by Malc Stone , the photography book “GAZE”, by Designer Ashish Gupta, who I have so much love for. I am always just so thankful for each experience and opportunity I get and feel lucky to have them.
Image: Aaron James for Vogue Italia shot by Vogue Italia, shot by Malc Stone
