Trans Passions
An Exhibition of Sculptures and Stories
This exhibition is inspired by the beautiful lives of transgender people across Canada and America. As trans rights continue to be under threat in America, this exhibition is a reminder of the individuals who are trying to live their lives in a society that continues to demonize them. Each sculpture in this series is based on the passions of a particular transgender person, by clicking the link you can read/listen to a recording of each person speaking about their passions in life as well as their experiences being trans. This is to showcase that although being trans is an important aspect of one’s being, it is only one component of their complex identities. Trans Passions showcases trans joy, the strength of community and the fulfilling lives that trans people are living within the greater society.
To learn more about this project, click here.
Funding for this project provided by Canada Council for the Arts.
Audio editing and Youtube videos by Keegan McEvoy. Photography by Jasmine Sallay-Carrington.
moonyeka
This piece is based on the performance artist Nawa (he/she) who often goes by the name Moonyeka. Nawa is a Ilocano-Filipinx multidisciplinary artist and shapeshifter, truly embodying the chimera quality of multidisciplinary artistry.
Nawa speaks about how passionate he is about all of his art practices, about the history of some of the mythological creatures that are referenced in this piece, and the relationship between the creatures and his spouse. Nawa also goes into detail about the symbolism of orchids and the creatures within the Philippines culture.
15" x 5" x 22," Soda fired stoneware, glazes, gold lustre. Audio length is 36:35 (SOLD)
Aria and aphrodite
This piece is based on Aria (she/they) who is non-binary and speaks about the transformative nature of embodying a transgender identity where change is embraced, loved and celebrated. One of her passions is clay and how it can be used as a vessel for translating emotions and thoughts, specifically of queer and trans people. Aria’s other passion is reading, she loves learning about other queer and trans experiences as a way of better understanding how other bodies exist and love in this world.
Soda fired stoneware, flashing slip. Audio length is 13:13
Center Stage
This piece is based on Jordan (they/he) who identifies as transmasculine and genderqueer. They share about their journey of stepping in and out of the closet before finally being able to come out entirely. Jordan has been in theatre since they were a kid and has loved being on a stage and telling a story with their whole body. Jordan loves the community that theatre brings together, to be surrounded by such creative diversity since they were so young was transformative for them. They also speak about their passions for collective liberation and how this influenced their development as an individual.
30" x 38" x 5,” Soda fired stoneware, underglaze, glaze, metal, gold leaf, acrylic paint. Audio length is 17:37
The potter’s people
This piece is based on Joy (they/she) a non-binary demi-girl who has a passion for pottery. They describe their love for clay and the experience of being a production potter. They are 4th generation Chinese-American, they describe how there was such little representation growing up, that now it’s important for them to be visible about their Chinese and trans identity. They are a moderator on a large online community for Asian transgender people and talk about the importance of community and chosen family and taking care of each other.
13” x 10”x 16,”Stoneware, glaze, cobalt stain, black stain. Audio length is 17:12
Badass Motorcycle babe
This piece is based on Jayde (she/they), who is Afro-Indigenous, Latine, Chinese American who was raised Catholic. She immigrated from China to Peru then to America, living in Florida for most of her adolescence. She describes herself as an intersex non-binary woman of trans experience that's sapphic. Jayde has a passion for motorcycles and the community of people that they bring together, riding with Babes Ride Out was a transformative experience for her and helped her to come out. Jayde’s motorcycle group, the Litas, is a space for trans and non-binary folks who ride to thrive in the community. She also loves connecting with younger generations and mentoring BIPOC and queer youth.
Soda fired porcelain, black underglaze.
Audio length is 14:43
Safe Spaces
This piece is based on Lilly (she/her), a trans woman who is based out of San Francisco CA. Lilly speaks about how she came out to herself, her family and friends and how this saved her life. She is now a content creator and uses her platform to build an online community and advocate for trans rights. She continues to fight for a more trans inclusive world by being vocal and visible about her trans community and aims to create safe spaces online for people to communicate and connect.
Electric fired stoneware, mason stains, underglazes, multimedia.
Audio length is 18:13
The Fiber Artist
This piece is based on Bish (it/its), who is currently residing in the Pacific Northwest. Bish has a passion for all fiber arts, specifically knitting. Bish loves the feel of fiber, and how the material starts as something small and insignificant, then through knitting or weaving it is transformed into something strong, robust and beautiful.
Electric fired stoneware, underglaze. Audio length is 13:43
A Choir of Cats
This piece is based on Asher, who identifies as transmasculine (he/him) and is living in Vancouver, Canada. Asher has a passion for singing and for his family of cats. He speaks about the experiences of his voice changing as he medically transitioned using testosterone. He also speaks of the validating experience of singing in a men’s choir.
Wood fired porcelain, glaze (decorative only, does not hold water). Audio length is 19:42
Genderfull and Community Minded
This piece is based on Allium Sunshine (they/them), who is an artist, a Leo and describes their gender identity as genderfull. Allium has a passion for community care and loves documenting those little moments that feel insignificant but end up being special memories to cherish. Capturing those instances to remember and celebrate those moments of care, connection, friendship and support.
Electric fired stoneware, glaze, underglaze, wood fired stoneware. Audio length is 26:03
Muse
This piece is based on Hippolyta (she/her), who is transfeminine model based out of the Pacific Northwest. She has a passion for fashion, walking in the ballroom scene and being a muse for other artists. She has a desire to blend her other love of botany with this passion for fashion and modelling.
Wood fired stoneware, glazes. Audio length is 10:24
(SOLD)
Anything and Everything
This piece is based on Sylvan (they/them) who has a passion for learning all that they can learn about a subject. Their autism and love for science leads them to staying up late into the night learning every last detail about a subject. They studied psychology and neuroscience in school and have an interest in archetypes and the classification of beings that share the world with us.
Wood fired stoneware, stain, copper chain
Audio length is 12:30 (SOLD)
The Tattoo Artist
This piece is based on Max (he/they) who is transmasculine and a tattoo artist. He shares memories of his past and how he learned of his trans identity. Max’s passion for tattooing extends beyond just the designs and the ink and embraces the human connection made possible by his art practice. He loves the vibes of a tattoo shop and the control that tattooing gives you over your own body.
Soda fired stoneware, glaze, underglaze
Audio length is 17:12 (SOLD)
In Solidarity
This piece is based on Effie (she/they), a non-binary trans woman who is an activist and has a passion for unions, disability rights, and building transit friendly cities. She wishes to create a more accessible city structure so that everyone can exist equally within the spaces. Effie is heavily involved with a few unions, one of which she designed the logo for.
Wood fired stoneware, glaze, underglaze. Audio length is 19:06
Story Holder
This piece is based on Hunter (he/him) who is transmasculine and a collector of stories. Growing up he loved creating fictional stories, but as his career as a therapist developed, he began to collect and hold other people’s stories, therefore becoming a story holder instead of a storyteller. Hunter is also a collector of objects and dead things, each containing their own memory and story.
Wood fired stoneware, glazes, underglazes, story by Hunter
Audio length is 12:42
“We sat in the middle of the bridge all day and talked about how fucked everything had gotten. It was dark by the time we picked our way back over the perilous railroad ties to solid ground. It’s funny the detail that you remember.”
-Hunter Swanson
Here to Help People, Not to Make Money
This piece is based on D (they/them), who is non-binary, trans femme, a fairy, bakla and Filipino-Black. D is a civil rights litigator/ lawyer and has a passion for helping transgender people who are in prison, their deeper passion is helping those in need. They share stories of some of the gender affirming accomplishments they worked hard to get for their clients behind bars, as well as the challenges of working in such a position. D also has a passion for tarot and using it as a way to relax after such hard days doing such important work.
Stoneware, underglazes, gold luster
Audio length is 12:58
The Writer
This piece is based on Jeremiah (he/him), who is transmasculine and speaks about his experiences of learning about his transness at a young age. He has loved creating fictional stories since he was a child and that quickly transformed into creative writing once he had the tools to do so. His passion for writing has continued to this day and now uses it to process feelings and express himself.
Wood fired stoneware, glazes, underglaze
Audio length is 13:48
“Temple of Clay
I am clay hanging off a wire frame,
molded by my own hands,
never ever really hardening.
To you I am a temple defiled
and I am the defiler.
I will never be man or woman enough for you
and so I will never be human.
You’ve made the image of God an iron maiden
and I’ve made myself a god of death,
reveling in every toppled fortress.
To you I bring only destruction.
You fail to see that I am also a god of rebirth.
I’ve shaped these hills and valleys to move through,
to reach out and press against other warm creations.
I’ve found a quieter place to rest for a while,
where I no longer feel like pounding myself back into flat dough,
but I have yet to unclench my fists.”
The Woodworker
This piece is based on Judith (she/her), a trans woman living in Canada. She shares stories of knowing she was trans at a very young age, as well as being a teen in the 90’s with very little information about what trans meant. Her being aware that it would be dangerous to come out at that time caused her to stay in the closet for many years. Judith speaks about her desire for her own biological family, and the complexities that those desires bring forth as a trans woman. She has a passion for creating with her hands and has always had a fascination with trees and wood as a materiel. She tells stories of her journey of carpentry and working with wood in many forms.
Wood fired stoneware, underglazes. Audio length is 19:44
Mockingbird
This piece is based on Vou (they/them) who is trans-non-binary / genderqueer and living in Canada. They speak about their experiences growing up in a conservative Greek community in Montreal and the complications of a gendered language and gender expression. Vou has a strong passion for soccer, they love the bond with their teammates, how it keeps them focused. They also have a passion for music, they share heartfelt stories about their grandfather who was a big influence for them in their music journey. How both music and soccer helped them and brought together their community.
Stoneware, underglaze, stain, gold luster
Audio length is 22:57
