Jai Sallay-Carrington

Trans Passions Project

To listen to the interviews, click here

(scroll down for the ongoing call for trans models)

Trans Passions is an ongoing project where Jai Sallay-Carrington, a Canadian trans-non-binary ceramic artist, is sculpting transgender people as their passions in life. The intention is to showcase trans joy, as often trans bodies are only represented within the discourse of only being trans. While transitioning is an important aspect of being trans, the goal of this project is to show the passions and lives that trans people hold as being as unique and diverse as each person is.

Each sculpture in this series is based on a transgender individual who the artist has also interviewed. Paired with each sculpture is a recording of that individual speaking about their passions and experiences being trans. The addition of the audio brings each sculpture to life and reminds the viewers that these are representations of actual people living their lives, showing that trans people are everywhere and very much a part of the greater society. The stories that were shared in these interviews were quite moving, it was inspiring to hear everyone speak so openly about their experiences and passions.

Since the goal of this project is to uplift trans individuals and communities, an organization benefiting 2SLGBTQIA people which is local to each exhibition is chosen to be the recipient of the fundraiser portion of this project. The Pin-Making fundraiser brings together community members to make hand-made ceramic pins, which are available at the opening reception by a donation to the chosen organization, they recieve 100% of those proceeds, plus a percentage of each sale of these sculptures. In Baltimore, MD, USA it was Baltimore Safe Haven, and in Vancouver, BC, Canada, it is UNYA (Urban Native Youth Association).

Jai has so far sculpted and interviewed 20 trans models for this project, to have a diverse representation of transgender experiences within Canada and the USA. The significance of community has been clear through this project, as many of the people interviewed spoke of how imperative community has been for their growth and safety. It has been such a transformative experience for Jai to connect with and sculpt all of these beautiful transgender people, and they are looking forward to continue growing this series.

Exhibitions of the Trans Passions series:

Baltimore Clayworks Gallery, July 6th-August 23rd, 2024, in Baltimore, MD, USA.

James Black Gallery, November 22nd-29th 2024, in Vancouver, BC, Canada

Fifty Fifty Gallery, December 2025, Victoria, BC, details TBA

Ongoing Call for Models

Do you identify as trans / non-binary / two-spirit and are passionate about something in your life?

Please read the document carefully if you wish to apply to be a model for my next sculpture series.

  In this project I will be sculpting transgender/two-spirit/non-binary models as ceramic figures. The focus of the sculptures will be around the model’s passions, they will be built with these passions influencing their form or incorporated into the sculpture.

So, this series will be focused on your passions; what you love doing or thinking about, who you love spending time with, whatever sport/ art/ activity/ social practice makes you happy. So please answer these questions as honestly as you can, tell me about yourself, go into details, it gives me more material to sculpt with! You will be sculpted as human forms with animal components. The animalistic quality will be a physical manifestation of certain qualities you share in your stories. You are welcome to give suggestions if you have any animals that you have a particular affinity to.

            Sending me the photos and the document doesn’t necessarily guarantee I will be able to sculpt you, as much as I wish I could sculpt everyone. It depends on how many people apply, and being sure I represent a diverse group of people.

Payment: If you are chosen to be sculpted I will send you a printed photo of the sculpture of your likeness. You will be paid $50CAD for an approximately 1-hr interview, if Jai has a grant and can pay you more, they will.

What I will need from you:

-read and fill out the form linked below

-Send me 8 photos (details on the form)

-email the document and photos to me, title the email: TRANS PASSIONS SUBMISSION

(models have to be 18+ to participate )

jscreatures@gmail.com

Interested in showing this project at your gallery next? please email me!