G a b r i e l a
F e r n a n d e z

Focusing on largely on the South Floridas Punk scene, a long standing scene that spans over 40 years but specifically what has been left of it post covid. Once a place of ease to find and create space for those who partake now seemingly left in a minefield.  As the talons of gentrification and lose of pivotal members of the community began to tear Miami to shreds, the punks of south florida fight to maintain this edge, losing as someone documenting trying to capturing the debauched decadence.Theres always been an edge and seemingly cut throat energy from the community thats houses it but it comes from self defenses. People joining this community, this scene are mostly POC or queer members that felt their voice tramples. These diy venues gave stages to them who felt silented, people who’d form pivotal groups like Zig Zag, UHU, Real People, and NSA to name a few. I record these photos to display the drive, the anger, the passion of various members, but most importantly the representation of these characters to the small community that exists. The aim of the project is to show the chosen family made inbetween all these folk. Working within an long existing history of the medium of photo and South Florida Punk ,this series is to show the occupants I’ve shared a space of intimacy because I’ve been a part of the social cultures that I’m documenting I want to show the people, the environments, the scene that made me feel welcomed that made me feel that it was okay to be outspoken, empowered to stand up in what I believe in. As I've grown further in this practice even expanding the my scope nationally and iterntaionally. These spaces welcome anyone regardless of their background, that they have open arms to the rowdy antics for people to have an escape for those fast 15 minutes.