LGBTQ+ SPECTRUM

​ARTIST STATEMENT

Queer Threads: Crafting Identity

 

​​With this series of portraits, I want to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community by exploring its richness and diversity.

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As mother of a son who identifies as Queer and as an ally, I believe it is important to give a tribute of love to those too often ignored, discriminated against, intentionally excluded and at best misunderstood. Even though we are having a cultural awakening around gender, documenting this population’s personal stories and intimate dreams beyond their sometimes-non-conforming appearance or behaviors, is crucial to continue to further their universal acceptance and enable them to live their lives openly and freely.
 
I worked from photographs that I took myself. First, I strove to get an accurate likeness of the subjects. Then I included somewhere in the painting something relevant to them, be it a favorite color, meaningful words or an important object or symbol. I also shared with them the progress of the painting for their comments.

 

When I started looking for subjects, everyone I asked was very enthusiastic about having their portrait painted and being included in a gallery exhibition. I think I was extremely lucky to get a group of individuals who are secure in themselves and are willing to be looked at by both their peers and by a public who may or may not be receptive to who they are.

 

I trust that my portraits help celebrate the diversity of humanity while showing respect and validation of my sitters’ spectrum of identities.