Isabella Schauer

We Dance Behind Closed Doors, 2026

We Dance Behind Closed Doors is a photographic series that explores queerness as both deeply lived and forced into hiding. Set behind locked doors, these images capture moments that exist in private where identity can unfold freely, away from the surveillance and judgment of the outside world. Within these enclosed spaces, gestures of love, vulnerability, and self-expression become acts of quiet resistance.

Through intimate portraits of my queer friends, moments of vulnerability with their partners, and playful interactions that echo the joy and freedom of childhood, I document a narrative of authenticity and belonging that can only sometimes fully emerge in secret. Each image serves not only as a representation of my friends and my love for them, but also as an invitation for viewers to reflect on their own experiences with love, connection, and identity.

The series moves between intimacy and isolation, where each subject navigates the tension between who they are and what the world allows them to be. The closed door becomes both a barrier and a sanctuary, symbolizing the necessity of concealment while also protecting moments of truth.

Through this series, I aim to provide a glimpse into the beauty of queer love that thrives within the community, while urging viewers to question the conditions that make secrecy necessary and to imagine a world where no one has to hide to be fully themselves.

About the Artist

Isabella Odessa’s practice explores queer experiences and intimate spaces through photography and mixed media. Working with both digital and analog processes, she creates images that question visibility, memory, and how stories are shared. Odessa combines film and digital photography with found materials and collage to expand the boundaries of the photographic image.

Her work often begins by documenting lived-in environments and the people within them, focusing on moments of vulnerability, play, and connection. Through intimate portraits and everyday interactions, she explores the relationships and care that shape queer community, highlighting forms of love, friendship, and belonging that are not always visible. Influenced by documentary traditions and social and political movements, her work responds to the discrimination and disapproval that queer communities often face simply for existing. By sharing these voices and everyday moments of connection, Odessa frames love and care as universal human experiences worthy of visibility and respect.

Through a documentary approach, Odessa captures moments of intimacy, care, and connection that reflect the complexity of personal and collective memory. Her work seeks to foster empathy while honoring overlooked experiences, inviting viewers to reflect on identity, connection, and the communities that help us feel seen.