David Cuka

It still feels unreal to accept Farbod’s passing, gone far too soon. A young queer artist whose life carried so much struggle for dignity in a world that so often demands a fight just to exist. I remember him like wqs happened yesterday when we did pictures for 999 Queers and get to know him for the first time. His laughter, his positive energy, and the way he communicated warmth and hope stayed with me. He was his parents’ only child. They wish to bring his body back to Iran so he can be buried there, but they cannot afford the €7,000 required for this repatriation. All donations will go directly to an organisation in Austria specialised in body repatriation. Donation link can be found at @queerbasevienna , who are supporting this process. Any contribution, no matter how small, will help Farbod’s family and honor his life. Every person I photograph leaves a trace in me, and your passing is deeply painful for me, for our community, and beyond. I send strength and love to the Farbod family in these difficult times. May your soul find peace, my friend. You will never be forgotten, David

149 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. In photo: @thediscountliquor

65 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. In photo: @thebutchofoz

Tonight, together at our event with @vinkoninojaeger , we celebrate 140 people I have photographed so far out of 999. 140 stories, coming out stories, positive messages, and 140 individuals who chose to stand in front of my camera and show their true selves through the project “999 Queers Portrait.” Reaching 140 portraits is not just a number for me, it represents trust, courage, vulnerability, resistance, and the importance of being visible in a world that constantly tries to define how we should behave, act, love, exist, and express ourselves. Every portrait carries within it not only a face, but also a personal history, a negotiation with family, culture, language, migration, memory, fear, survival, and the ongoing process of becoming oneself despite the pressure, silence, shame, or invisibility that many queer individuals still experience in different social and political realities. Tonight you will find 140 photographs printed as postcards that you can take home with you, six exhibited photographs from the series, beautiful wooden artworks by Nino, drinks, conversations, and shared moments together. You will also have the opportunity to be photographed by me tonight and become part of the “999 Queers Portrait” series yourself. Supporting two artists and a social project wich is not funded yet, can help in ways that one person cannot even imagine, and it reminds us how important solidarity between us truly is, especially in times where queer existence, visibility, and community care continue to be deeply political acts. Tonight is a fundraising event to help this work continue growing beyond Vienna and reach other countries and communities, until 999 queer individuals can stand proudly in front of the camera and say: this is who I am. And this is still only the beginning of the journey toward 999 portraits. Portrait in photo: @theoriginal.tinderello Shot out to @princesscissors for supporting and helping for the event! ❤️

102 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @vinkoninojaeger

85 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience.

28 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience.

63 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @shamovmarin_

24 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @phivostheodotou

37 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @damendarstellerin

19 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @studio.danielhill

56 portraits out of 999 — part of the ongoing project “999 Queers,” a multimedia archive of queer presence, identity, and lived experience. @_alien.m_