Nouveau: An Allied and Trans Inclusive Art Experience
This project celebrates and honors the unique and powerful transgender individuals in our realm. During the life of this project, I have worked with transgender individuals to create large-scale pieces of gender-affirming art, depicting their essence and identities through an art nouveau lens.
Why Transgender and Gender Non-conforming participants?
Being a part of our queer community has given me an up close and personal view with the daily experiences transgender individuals face, and the beauty they bring to the world. I am well aware this does not mean I understand what it means to be trans. That said, I bear witness daily to the challenges, opposition, and hate my trans and gender non-conforming students, family, friends, and community face just for existing. My goal in this project is to do my part through the lens I know best to bring joy to the trans community.
Why Art Nouveau?
The international presence of art nouveau attests to the successful tearing down of hierarchies between the arts. Art nouveau was prevalent in public places such as train stations, restaurants, and stores; the public and private domains had equal ownership of the style. This highlights the unified, inclusive nature of art nouveau, an art form to be enjoyed by all. Art nouveau presented a stepping stone for modern artists, whose legacy continues to inspire and evolve today.
Historically, art nouveau projects depicted cisgender female-presenting beings. The Nouveau project series will celebrate all trans and gender non-conforming humans. Choosing this work style comes from a deep desire to celebrate, support, love, and protect our trans community. The inclusive historical nature of art nouveau, in combination with endless artistic possibilities in identity expression, makes it the perfect inspiration for this heart work.
I have had the honor to communicate closely with participants to discuss identity, color schematic, clothing, feelings about their current and/or desired body, nature, environment, and the overall aesthetic of the piece to ensure the final work feels affirming and invokes gender euphoria.
Each piece in the Nouveau: An Allied and Trans Inclusive Art Experience project depicts transgender/gender non-confirming individuals through an art nouveau lens.
Please join me at the Center for New Media Arcus Galley on October 3rd, 2025 for an opening reception.
Also check out other Arts events in Kalamazoo.
