Transitions

Transitions is a body of work I have been developing in my studio for several years, but it’s also a subject I’ve been living and studying for most of my life. As a queer individual, I know the internal journey of trying to understand who we are, how we move through the world, and how we choose,or are forced to choose,to express our truths. I also knew I wasn’t alone in this, so I began interviewing my peers to understand how these experiences vary across different generations, cultures, and economic realities.

These interviews became the foundation of the Transitions portrait series, which has evolved over time—beginning as two-dimensional works, transforming into layered 3D paintings on glass, lenticular prints, and eventually an animated series. Each version shares a common goal: to explore and honor the many dimensions of identity and the subtle, powerful transitions that shape a person’s life. For this installation, I plan to blend the techniques I have applied over the years by creating a large-scale immersive installation that serves as a “window” into an individual’s journey. This installation constructed from custom-designed acrylic panels, will allow viewers to physically walk through the key transitions in their life, from adolescence to adulthood. Each panel will include deeply personal narratives that highlight the pivotal moments that shaped their path and the way they now choose to move through the world.

As a member of the queer community, I’m especially interested in sharing this journey for LGBTQ+ youth navigating their identity. There is a high rate of queer youth who are unhoused and facing suicide, violence, oppressive laws, and societal pressures. In the United States, we are witnessing a sharp rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric—particularly targeting trans youth and families. In 2024 alone, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the country, including efforts to restrict gender-affirming healthcare, access to education, freedom of expression, and public safety. Queer youth, especially trans youth of color, are disproportionately impacted—facing higher rates of homelessness, mental health challenges, and violence. These attacks aren’t just political—they’re deeply personal. They send a dangerous message that our lives, identities, and futures are up for debate.Art has saved my life many times, and I believe it has a role to play here. I’m continuing to develop Transitions out of a desire to use art as a tool to help people understand and value our differences, to give a glimpse into the LGBTQ experience. 

Funds raised through this campaign will go toward the materials, fabrication, mounting, lighting, and documentation of the work, along with artistic and collaborative fees. I’ll be working with United GMG, a skilled and trusted partner with whom I previously collaborated with.

With your support, I hope to unveil this installation initially in Chicago during the Summer of 2025, and offer this experience as a moment of both resistance and reflection—a call to see each other more fully. Join me in honoring our differences and bringing more awareness around the complexity and beauty of LGBTQ+ lives by supporting Transitions.