A visual autobiographical study on being transgender and transitioning, Outrepasser No. 2 is a continuation of Davis’ exhibit of new work first shown at the Theatrical Outfit. This body of work explores the transgender experience using abstract expressionism and neo-expressionism to convey the complexities, heartbreak, and humor of being trans.
Artist Statement
For most of my life, gender has been at best an abstract, fluid notion and at its worst, invisible. The dysphoria manifested physical difficulties, depression, anxiety and fractured self-image. My gender identity had few tangible ideas, images, or vocabulary. It is only now that we as a society are openly speaking about gender as a spectrum, not limited to the imposed binary of pink ribbons and blue balloons. Though growing up as a transgender person has been painful, frustrating, and frightening at times, it has also been surprising, affirming, and humorous. But still, it has always been without language.
As an artist I have always worked in realism, but the end result has been visual anchors that inform and enforce gender binary. The imagery felt too obvious and inaccurate. I felt obligated to illustrate my gender literally in my work. Over the last two years, I have been medically transitioning and along the way I have discovered a profound sense of language and mark-making that is true to my experiences of both the torment and the elations of my journey. I have finally taken agency over my body, gender, and art. In this body of work I am exploring gender with abstract language and a kind of neo-expressionism. My hope is that it is an accurate visual vocabulary for the viewer and that it effectively expresses the beauty and the risks of being what Kate Bornstein refers to as a “Gender Outlaw.”
Opening Reception
Friday, Nov. 10
6-8 pm
at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery / Decatur Visitors Center
113 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
On View
Nov. 10-Dec. 9
Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm