You are currently browsing the monthly archive for November, 2008.
the days kind of just bleed together, y’know.
each day begins with a struggle…
These are the portraits that were painted between November 18th and November 20th to recognize Transgender Remembrance Day (November 20th).
Each portrait was painted within 15 to 20 minutes in a public location. The portraits were painted on cardboard using recycled housepaint.
Names and pictures were retrieved from here: www.transgenderdor.org
I chose portraits to paint largely based off if a clear photograph was available.
November 18th
Note: I also painted Victoria Arellano and Kellie Telesford this day but their portraits were damaged during transport.
November 19th:
November 20th:
November 20th marked National Transgender Remembrance, to honor and remember transgender people who have been murdered in the past year.
On November 18th, 19th, and 20th, I went around Boston to paint portraits of some of the transgender people who have been murdered and to write down all the names of those lost to ignorance and hatred, to have the public bear witness, to not be invisible.
Painting a portrait is an intimate process, even in 40 degree weather. Names and faces hold power. When the mainstream media reported the deaths of many of these people, the wrong names and pronouns were often used or they felt it as ok to delve into that persons personal history. At times, this felt like misguided curiosity and other times an excuse for murder.
Reclamation of visibility is an important process that needs to happen in many forms and mediums. This is an act of identity politics and self-determination. This is refusing to be invisible and refusing to go quietly.
from Copely Square, November 20th 2008
photos by monica gomery (thanks so much!)
“i am so very small and tired…”
He blew smoke in my face and attempted but instead stated,”you know why everyone is so upset.” then he changed his mind nearly repeating, ” Everyone is so upset.”
I cut down my hair, shave my legs to be as reasonably hairless as possible, enough the feel gusts propelled over me though the water is still. the fog rises to sweep the blown smoke away from the city.
“What you do not understand,” he smiled and laughed,” you could write a short play about.”
It is funny how we always notice the blood, except when it is below our skin.
r.i.p. duanna johnson: murdered in memphis, tennessee 11/11
Transgender Rememberance Day = November 20th
“some days are more fancy-daring than others.”
