Hi, my name is Zaym. I’m a photographer, and making art isn’t something I choose to do. It’s who I am. Through my photography, I process everything: my past, my present, and the future I’m still fighting for.

But as an immigrant artist, the space I need to create and exist freely is something I could lose at any moment.

Back home in Malaysia, my art had to live in secret. My work, which explores queer life and identity, was constantly censored. Every portrait felt like an act of quiet rebellion. Every image carried a hidden message. I couldn’t photograph honestly. I couldn’t be honest with myself.

Here in Glasgow, I finally learned what freedom feels like. For the first time, I can create without fear. My photographs breathe with light and shadow, capturing vulnerability, memory, and the stories of people who deserve to be seen. My work isn’t just about me. It’s for anyone who has ever felt invisible and is searching for reflection and belonging.

Over the past few years, I’ve built a life here. I’ve found a chosen family, a creative community, and a sense of belonging I never thought I’d have. Glasgow feels like home. It’s where my art takes root and grows.

But that home is now at risk. My visa will expire in February, and without it, I’ll lose my right to stay, my access to opportunities, and the relationships that make my work possible.

I’m applying for the Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) so I can keep building my practice here. The total cost is £3,000, which covers the visa and application fees. This visa will give me two years of stability, freedom, and the chance to keep creating without fear of being forced to leave everything I’ve built.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward this application and help keep my art alive.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping protect an immigrant, queer artist’s right to create freely. Please share this if you can.

As Rihanna once said, “If you have a dollar, there’s plenty to share.”

With love,

Zaym