LEGITIMIZE
Welded Metal & Molded Silicone
14”x6”x32”
2025
/ləˈdʒɪt.ə.maɪz/, to make something legal or acceptable, an antonym to erasure.
That being said in response to the current, ongoing erasure of trans identities, this work deliberately illuminates and validates the trans experience. The piece centers on a metal bra with sharp, extending lines—symbolizing the inherent pain of existing as a trans woman in today's society. The bra's cups are made from molded silicone, and the accompanying silicone gaff, tucking underwear below represents the physical modifications and concealments many trans women employ for comfort and safety.
By suspending these deeply personal items on delicate wire, the installation creates a stark contrast between vulnerability and resilience. The sterile presentation forces viewers to confront these typically hidden features. In using my own breast cutlets and what my body looks like in my own undergarments as base material for the molds. I've transformed my private experience into public testimony which I believe is a necessary act of defiance against the current political attempts to diminish and erase trans lives.
This piece really required me to step out of my comfort zone, but that discomfort I had to experience feels vital in this present moment. By literally and metaphorically exposing the intimate details of my trans experience, I will join many others who refuse to stay silent. The raw, visceral nature of the presentation speaks to both the beauty and struggle inherent in our journey toward authentic existence.
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