Portraits of Mas is an empowering and transformative project conceived by Wanna Thompson that celebrates the voices and experiences of individuals from the Caribbean and of Caribbean descent through archiving.

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Woman in purple Carnival costume with purple feathers playing mas, Toronto Caribana
Queer woman wearing purple feathered backpack for a Carnival costume for Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Caribana
Queer man wearing blue costume for Caribana, Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Queer man wearing blue costume for Caribana, Toronto Caribbean Carnival - Tribal Carnival
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Queer woman playing mas in a Carnival costume
Queer woman playing mas in a Carnival costume
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Queer man playing mas in a blue Carnival costume for Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Queer man playing mas in a blue costume for the Toronto Caribbean Carnival
Queer woman playing mas in a blue Carnival costume for Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Caribana
Queer woman playing mas in a blue and purple Carnival costume for Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Caribana
Queer woman playing mas in a blue Carnival costume for Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Caribana

FOR SHE/FOR HE/FOR THEM

The series, conceived by Wanna Thompson and skillfully captured by Brianna Roye through striking photography, shines a spotlight on resilient queer individuals. It highlights their resistance, vulnerability, unshakeable spirits, and the euphoric liberation that mas provides. Despite the unjust discrimination towards the Caribbean LGBTQ2S+ community, they find solace on the road, forging their path towards empowerment and acceptance.

The captivating tagline: “For she, for he, for them," radiates an unapologetically inclusive ethos, inviting all queer masqueraders to embrace their true selves with open arms.

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