Malik Dieleman

Environmental Portraits

I have always been drawn to the interaction between human and place.How does the experience of a location influence ones identity?This series of portraits explores this relationship by capturing subjects within environments significant to them in one way or another; a home, a workplace, a cityscape, etc. With an intimate and stylized documentary approach, I invite viewers into the lives of a diverse group. Come meet them, and their spaces, with me.

“The main goal for this project was to improve my skills in portraiture out of the studio setting. I aimed to build a strong portfolio that combined artistic and commercial capabilities. The nature of this project required collaboration between photographer, subject, and location. I stretched my technical and creative shooting abilities, ultimately producing a series of unique image-narratives.”

Vincent, Downtown Toronto. "These spaces are a reminder of all the memories and relationships I've made over the years in Toronto, and struggles I've overcome along the way."

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Davrielle, Christie Pits Park, Toronto. "I have pictures in this park from when I was younger, and looking at the ones Malik took of me, it makes me feel like a time traveler, showing how I've grown into the adult I am now."

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Chris (Supafly), Graffiti Alley, Toronto. "Supafly is an original character that I invented that is meant to reflect my own self image. I made my own costume based off of the suit that he wears in battle. The area sort of reflects my personality; the colorful street art in many ways reminds me of my own creativity."

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Mackenzie, London, ON. "I live such a fast-paced life with a lot of structure and this place give me the opportunity to really take in the fresh air. These portraits reflect my embrace of my northern Canadian side, which I’ve missed out on while living in Miami, Florida."

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Andrew, North York. "This space is where I spend countless of hours learning and working on my video production. It’s cool to have all the equipment which I’ve amassed over the years around me. This is my home office and there is no place like the home ....office!"

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Michael, Yonge & Dundas Square, Toronto. "This space gives me a sense of vibrance and bleakness simultaneously."

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Vicky, North York. "I enjoy having friends over because they point out the beautiful things that I see every day, like my mother’s flower garden, the detailed floor tiles, and the old paintings on the wall I did as a kid. It can be messy, it can be neat, it can be quiet, it can be loud, but at the end of the day, it is my home and I feel very much myself here."

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Mercedes, Downtown Toronto. "No object has instilled growth in me like Merlin (she/her), my motorcycle. Never in my life do I recall intentionlly pushing through such a difficult emotion that I had the choice to back out of. But with practice and experience those emotions have changed. I feel at ease, free and victorious with her now."

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Lauren, OCAD University, Toronto. "There is significance, to me, in the locations of the photos all being on campus - these are ones that I see regularly, almost daily, and the photos bring together the idea of being able to see a normal space in a creative and new way. This concept has influenced so much of my writing as a poet - the ability to see a normal situation, person, place, or idea from a refreshing new perspective."

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Michael, Downtown Toronto. "I remember not being able to feel my nose or feet because it was so cold, and being grateful whenever Malik wanted to get some creative lighting with the sun. The garage smelled bad, but the unique pics were worth it."

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