We’re celebrating Pride Month by featuring artists whose work reflects different aspects of LGBTQIA culture. We’re kicking off this week’s Pride series by interviewing writer, director, and visual artist, Samuel Leighton-Dore. Here’s what Samuel has to say about GIFs, stickers, queer culture and more!

GIPHY Arts: What’s your favorite GIF? 

Sam: I really love the cheeky/queer icongraphy of @xtn_love’s GIPHY channel: 

GA: What’s your fave GIF within your body of work?

S: My fave GIFs in my own body of work would have to be my Janelle Monáe ‘Pynk’ sticker, as well as my ‘rainbow vom’ sticker.

GA: What does Pride mean to you?

S: To me, Pride means having the strength to know and express my authentic self, while honouring those who fought to give me the freedom to do so.

GA: Can you show us what you’re working on right now?

S: Right now I’m working on developing my first solo art show around the theme of fragile masculinity, incorporating ceramics, paintings and GIFS.

To see more of Sam Leighton-Dore’s artwork, head on over to giphy.com/samleightondore