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This abstract series delves into the complex experience of being non-binary while having been socialized as female. The paintings' shapes and outlines represent the overlapping life experiences shared with women, a reflection of how the world perceives me.
As someone often mistaken for a woman, I've encountered familiar challenges: sexual harassment, assumptions of submissiveness, and workplace underestimation. These experiences have shaped me just as profoundly as uniquely non-binary ones, such as bathroom dilemmas, navigating gendered clothing, and the constant reminders to family about using they/them pronouns.
The vibrant colors in my work symbolize the joy and camaraderie found within marginalized gender communities. Despite my non-binary identity, my ability to pass as female allows me to still partake in this closeness. It's as if others sense a part of me that resonates with the female experience, even if their assumption of my gender is incorrect.
This series celebrates the multifaceted nature of identity. It acknowledges that while I am fully non-binary, my experiences often intersect with those of women due to societal perceptions and my upbringing. Through these paintings, I invite viewers to contemplate the complexity of gender identity and the shared experiences that connect us across the gender spectrum.