A Body Under Construction: Proceed with Caution

With expectations of disclosure, specifically disclosure with certainty, the pressure to label yourself holds strong against the livelihood of queer individuals. I made this stained glass and chain mail chest piece to show ways in which the body can be under constraint while also being liberated. With mirrors over my chest, I first push viewers to mind their own business and look back at themselves in reflection. What does my chest mean to you? Who said you have any right to speak about my body? What can a queer, liberated body teach you about your own gender and sexual identities? About unwavering acceptance? What can it teach you about celebration?

These mirrors are connected by lines of bright yellow glass. These pieces serve as a cautionary note. A cautionary note to myself and to others; throughout my life I have been pushed to explore my queerness with extreme caution. This caution tape around my body has slowed me down, discouraged me, and created complicated relationships between my body and self. With this project, however, I hope to push the caution tape onto the viewer. Be cautious of how you interact with the queer individuals you “support;” take a look in that mirror and ask yourself whose definition of ‘support’ should be used in this case? As a friend, family member, or stranger of a queer person, who should decide what it means to support them: them or you?

Thank you to @regantakespics / @regannjo for capturing my work (and me) so beautifully. 💌