Better Self: Transition Through Self-Portraiture Lars Kent Project Mentor(s): Erika Pazian, PhD
My start to my medical gender transition process began in June of 2023. In September of the same year, I started learning how to oil paint for the first time. For the past three years, I have painted portraits of myself in various ways to honor my identity and newfound adulthood in ways I had not previously envisioned. The process of learning how to paint with oils has coincided with my studies of art history, which informed not only the choice to create self-portraiture, but also the choices that go into the types of self-portraiture I make. I take inspiration from specific artists such as Caravaggio and Egon Schiele and broader movements such Expressionism and Gutai to influence everything from my choices of composition to my use of color. Artists like Ren Hang inspire my conceptual integration of the body in my works. My senior BFA exhibition is a summarization of these painted self-portraits that were both possible because of my ability to transition medically and in turn create depictions of the process of transitioning. Influenced by art historical precedents, I have given myself value through my art in ways I had not felt were accessible to myself as a transgender person. My work documents the nuances of transitioning, something often kept to oneself. It embraces, rather than conceals, all the grief and hoy that coincides with this journey. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation (May 20, 9:30am–5:00pm) Keywords: Art, Self-Portraiture, Painting, Gender SOURCE Form ID: 173 The individuals I have chosen to feature in this ongoing series are chosen according to two factors, they are my closest loved ones and they are all Queer. These portraits represent the entirety of my inner circle—my mother, grandfather, siblings, sibling-in-law, girlfriend, and best friends. They’re depicted in a range of situations from quiet domestic moments to proudly wearing full Drag, emphasizing the nature of identity as it exists through all circumstances. This series has been titled using inspiration from photo albums, each portrait is titled with the name of the subject(s) and the date the primary reference photo was taken. I date each portrait to explore the multigenerational quality of Queerness by highlighting over forty years of outwardly Queer family and friends. By creating several portraits of the same individuals over the span of many years to document their personal evolution. This aspect of the series means it will remain ongoing, as I continue to feature the lives of my loved ones. I use digital media to demonstrate Keepsake Ember Mikkelsen Project Mentor(s): Jacqueline Trujillo preservation by remastering my family photographs to honor the otherwise fragile images and experiences of my loved ones. My goal is to show the euphoria, connection, and beauty of Queerness. Through individuals of various generations, races, genders, sexualities, and religions; the theme of intersectionality is deeply valued in these portraits. Queerness is often overlooked historically so this series works to devote positive attention to a community that deserves recognition. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation (May 21, 9:30am–5:00pm) Keywords: Visual Art, Digital Illustration, Personal Narrative, Portraiture, Queer Identity SOURCE Form ID: 104
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