Family Album/Palimpsests
Trans Portraits, Phila.

“The face opens the primordial discourse whose first word is ‘obligation.’”
-Philosopher Emmanuel Levinas

Trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming persons in the Philadelphia region are invited to participate in a creative collaboration by visiting my Philly studio, having their portrait drawn, and videorecording responses to a number of prompts to be linked to QR codes. Two bodies of work are planned: "Family Album" is gallery works, consisting of small, intimate drawings, a collective portrait by and for the trans community; the other, "Palimpsests," inhabiting a public space, is over life-size portrait heads, ghostlike, yet very present; a metaphor for trans erasure and endurance.

Participants are free to opt out from the video, just record an audio, or I can be the responding voice.

(Life study (approx. 8:x10”), light & composition study (approx. 3.5” x 3”), oversize drawing (in progress, 16” x16”) Subject is a professional model for demonstration purposes only. )

It takes about two hours to do a solid life drawing. I request to take one or two phone shots purely as reference images as well as ask you to answer a few prompts such as: “What about being trans does the public not get? What would you like to tell them?” These are encouraged, but optional. This is a collaborative project to represent you. I want people to be comfortable and relaxed while building community, gaining visibility, increasing public awareness and fostering creative joy.

-The timeline for the project to complete is about 1-2 years. The drawings will hopefully go on to other venues. They will not be used commercially.

-You do not have to identify yourself by name. A letter, a pseudonym, anonymous, etc. are all OK.

-I am happy to furnish hard-copy prints as well as digital files of any of your images. You are free to use them in any legal manner. Please credit the project and encourage others to be a part!

-My studio is near 22nd and South Street, an easy distance from 30th Street Station or Rittenhouse Square. If you travel in, I can help out with gas/train/bus money.

-Questions? Comments? Ideas? Set up a time? Shoot me an email on the “Contact” page!