The Sacred Space
Barbershops have been much more than skilful hairdressing salons for generations. They are central meeting places for black men, where coming together, sharing stories and a sense of community are central.
In The Sacred Space, photographer Xaveer May highlights the barbershop as such a special place. Through powerful photography and visual stories, he brings to life the emotional, aesthetic and social value of this space. The images show the layering of brotherhood, representation and masculinity, revealing how these values are lived, reinforced and passed on. Xaveer May
Xaveer May (b. 1994) is a self-taught image maker from Amsterdam, with a keen eye for capturing people and their surroundings. Driven by an inner motivation rooted in journalism, archiving and visual storytelling, he developed a personal approach to photography that focuses on community, culture and layered human experiences.
His work...
Barbershops have been much more than skilful hairdressing salons for generations. They are central meeting places for black men, where coming together, sharing stories and a sense of community are central.
In The Sacred Space, photographer Xaveer May highlights the barbershop as such a special place. Through powerful photography and visual stories, he brings to life the emotional, aesthetic and social value of this space. The images show the layering of brotherhood, representation and masculinity, revealing how these values are lived, reinforced and passed on. Xaveer May
Xaveer May (b. 1994) is a self-taught image maker from Amsterdam, with a keen eye for capturing people and their surroundings. Driven by an inner motivation rooted in journalism, archiving and visual storytelling, he developed a personal approach to photography that focuses on community, culture and layered human experiences.
His work often unfolds through long-term connections and research, creating space for trust, intimacy and depth. Rather than observing from the outside, Xaveer moves within the communities he photographs, creating space for stories that are often overlooked or remain unspoken. For him, the making process is at least as important as the end result. He is always looking for ways to make these stories visible, share them and let them live on.
The Sacred Space is a collaboration of Kunstlinie Almere, Motion Fadesen The Next Way, and is part of Black Achievement Month Netherlands, an annual celebration of the strength, creativity and contributions of the Black community in the Netherlands. Thanks to Gemeente Almere for supporting the realisation of this exhibition.
Black Achievement Month 2025
This exhibition is programmed during Black Achievement Month 2025. This year, we put the black man centre stage in a programme that touches, confronts and connects. From Almere, city of future and diversity, we launch a national dialogue on identity, community and resilience.
When
- Every month on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month until 21 December 2025
Prices
- Regular Free