Norwegian photographer Tonje Thilesen is capturing attention with her unique journey to Pakistan’s bustling city of Karachi and her ongoing, captivating photography project, “Unfinished Kite.” Through her lens, Thilesen reveals the lesser-known facets of this complex city, particularly the stories of a thriving artist and queer community persevering against challenging circumstances.
Thilesen’s connection to Karachi began in 2013 through a music blog, leading to her first trip to the city in 2015 to meet online friends. Initially aimed at documenting digital friendships in real life, the trip evolved into a life-changing experience as she discovered solace and a vibrant community where art and queerness flourished despite poverty, corruption, and violence. The “Unfinished Kite” project grew from capturing these online-to-real-life friendships into encompassing broader themes such as cultural production, queer world-building in Karachi, climate depression, loss, and freedom of expression. The project’s title draws inspiration from the video game Unfinished Swan, where players reveal a world by throwing paint, mirroring Thilesen’s approach to using her camera.
In Karachi, a conservative and often dangerous environment, Thilesen found the alternative community to be a “bastion of progressive thought.” Returning a decade later, she observed significant changes: a new generation staking its claim in the independent scene, new venues and initiatives emerging, and a generally safer, more open environment for the community. Noticing increased queer visibility, Thilesen photographed individuals like non-binary artist Asad Zulfiqar, footballer and coach Mashal Hussaina, photographer Osama Doger, DJ Lyla, and fashion design student Teem, who are unafraid to occupy public spaces.
Thilesen’s work presents tender and surreal imagery that reflects the love and joy of this community. Enriched with unexpected colors and compositions, her photographs serve as an archive of her experiences in Karachi and how life in an ever-changing world can be visualized. Thilesen’s work is not only documentary but also a powerful testament to the creativity and strength of human connections in the face of adversity. This project offers a striking artistic contribution to understanding the soul of a city and the resilience within it.
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