IDENTITY
My thesis is about difficulties I have faced as a transgender man, particularly certain societal obligations and gender dysphoria. The project has a primary focus on mask symbolism, via a wolf-like mask worn by adversaries and my persona alike. This is based on the notion that queer people are often forced to wear a mask in order to avoid rejection by their peers. Some negative connotations around wolf symbolism are cruelty or dangerousness, however my character is implied to wear his mask as a mechanism to avoid cruelty at the hands of others. The thesis has a chronological timeline from ages 18-22 [present day] as that is the time period in which I primarily came into my own.
My process combines analog and digital methods which support the image content of my narrative. The transition from traditional to digital media mirrors the actual process of gender transition, where the traditional phase reflects the intensity of gender dysphoria, and the digital phase reflects the alleviation of that, perhaps even gender euphoria. My thesis doesn’t just demonstrate my experience, but my thesis is my experiences. Meanwhile, the stylistic choice of cartoons to convey my narrative was very intentional— it helps make the series accessible to anyone. Though at first glance the series reads as familiar cartoons, in actuality they are nuanced combinations of expressive marks inspired by the punk community, which is a historically impassioned genre. The intensity of textural elements found in punk illustration is particularly attractive to me, and paired with my labor-intensive process, matches the viscerality of my experiences as a transgender man. Both my process and research work are explored in further detail in my thesis book Identity.
The PDF for Identity is included below.
THESIS STATEMENT
REALIZATION
This was the second illustration I completed this semester, but the first where I pursued a loose narrative.
It began as a non-thesis piece in reaction to gender dysphoria in early September, but was later reworked into the series. This illustration is also where I determined that my thesis would be a personal narrative, and not a political statement.
Monochrome line-art for Realization.
CONSTRICTION
Many transmasculine individuals wear a binder to appear flat-chested. For the uninitiated— a binder is similar to an undershirt, usually consists of nylon and spandex, and is constrictive by design. Though this practice is perfectly safe within reason— the binder is only worn for 8hrs a day, and is never a makeshift wrap from bandages or duct tape— there is the risk for potential discomfort. However, because of my gender dysphoria, I still feel more comfortable in my binder than in my own skin. My binder allows me to look how I feel. When removed, my sensation of skin disappears with it.
Monochrome line-art for Constriction.
HALLOWEEN
Why not everyday, are you so afraid, what will people say?
Why not everyday, are you so afraid, what will people say?
After Halloween, after Halloween, after Halloween...
Because your role is planned for you,
There’s nothing you can do,
But stop and think it through—
But what will the boss say to you?
And what will your girlfriend say to you?
And the people out on the street, they might glare at you.
And whaddaya know, you’re pretty self-conscious too!
So you run back and stuff yourselves in rigid business costumes
Only at night to score is your leather uniform exhumed
Why don’t you take your social regulations,
Shove ‘em up your ass?
Halloween by Dead Kennedys
Monochrome line-art for Halloween.
OBLIGATION
This is the first illustration I completed this semester, which is why it is artistically different from the later additions to the series.
Two weeks before the semester began I filed my Petition to Change Name. As this process was extremely expensive, this illustration was an expression of my frustration towards the Massachusetts legal system. The convoluted process felt like a form of financial violence against transgender people, which is where the gun-bullet metaphor came from.
The background is a collage of the court documents and receipts from my newspaper publication.
Initial sketch for Obligation.
TRANSITION
This was the fourth illustration I completed this semester.
This was started immediately after my Decree of Name Change was approved. There was already a resolution planned in my narrative outline, however the name change gave me the motivation to actually draw it. In this illustration the mask is rendered useless, as I finally decide to live without the burden of societal norms around gender identity. My own happiness matters more than how others perceive me within societal norms, and ultimately I am at peace.
Monochrome line-art for Transition.
THANK YOU.
Project by Laurence Miles Bousquet - MassArt 2022