TRANSITION came about from my desire to create something that would express my feelings in light of the recent increase in hate and bigotry towards transgender people. I wanted to depict what I was hearing from the trans community. I wanted to present what I saw and heard from my personal experience and perspective as an aging gay man. When I began examining the issue, it hit me that in some way we are all "transitioning". We are all sifting through this chaotic mess we call life. We all look to discover who we are, who we want to become, and try to decide how best to get there. I do not suggest that this is a valid comparison nor in any way do I mean to take away from the significance of their struggle, one fraught with oppression and a blatant attempt to erase their existence. From this old gay's perspective, folks trying to deal with their gender identity walk a path that is far more difficult and complex than the rest of us can ever imagine. I cannot begin to fathom the questions, the fear, the loneliness, the intense uncertainty that my trans brothers and sisters are confronted with.
I used straight edges and sharp angles as a background to denote societal thinking regarding gender; how we tend to look at one's gender in black and white terms. In other words, if you're born with male genitalia you are automatically labelled a boy and we can't see how one could be a female in a male body. The sharp angles also serve as a metaphor for how that very narrow-minded way of thinking "cuts" and harms those with identity issues. I used common anatomical details to signify "humaness", allowing the viewer to make their own conclusions. The single tear below the right eye reflects the immense sadness that I feel for the treatment of the trans community, for the inhumanity they experience as they simply try to be who they are and live a happy life as their true selves. There is much more packed into this work and my hope is that those who see it, will take time to explore it with their own knowledge and experience and find more meaning in it.
The one final point that was most important to me to make was in the wording that I added. It says, "I say who I am, it's not up for debate". The message should be crystal clear. It is not up to government, the clergy, the local school board, one's employer, neighbors, or some bigoted snark on social media, to determine who one is, what gender they are supposed to identify as, or how they choose to live their life. That right, that HUMAN RIGHT, belongs to the individual alone. My greatest wish is that more people come to that realization, that they come to embrace the wondrous diversity of the human species and the richness that that diversity brings to one's life.
The composition measures 16" x 20". It is comprised of hand cut poster board and 60lb cardstock, mixed with computer generated lettering. The design is mounted on foam board.
Artist: Parker Kaufman, 05/31/2026. Image may not be copied, reprinted, or used in any other way without express written permission.
VISION AND VERSE DISCLAIMER
Note:
Vision and Verse does not store any personal information, such as email addresses or home addresses. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.
No comments:
Post a Comment