Encounters
november 1, 2017 - november 10, 2017
Charlotte, nc
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This is a collection of seven pieces that delve into the courage it takes to forge human connections, particularly reflecting on the early days of the HIV crisis and its impact on diverse communities. Each art piece in this series is a visual narrative, crafted from found objects immersed in acrylic and ink, symbolizing insights gained from deep contemplation on these connections.
The collection was conceived for Visual AIDS' annual fundraiser. “Postcards from the Edge”, an initiative that champions artists affected by HIV and advocates for ongoing prevention efforts, acknowledging that the fight against this pandemic continues.
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One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This piece comes from the fear that can come after an encounter. In my past encounters, there were some times when I was unsure if I was fully protected. Even after doing all the safety precautions, your changes of infections are never really eliminated. Either you walk with the faith that things are ok or with fear that something can still technically happen. I also think about the anxiety that can be there when waiting for your STI test. There is nothing to fear but it can still be scary to find out you have something, but it is scarier and more dangerous to not know and to encounter people who do not know theirs either out of the same fear.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This piece had an overall message I thought was positive and worth sharing in the "Postcards from the Edge" fundraiser that Visual AIDS hosts every year. When I made this series, this piece was entered in their 2018 exhibition. To me, it felt like a message to put out there because The take away I got was "no matter how you got infected or came to whatever situation you are in now, this condition and this situation does NOT define you. With HIV, and most infections in general, there is an unsaid, or sometimes loudly said, stigma judging the character of a person or defining a person. You are not and should not be defined by your status, your choices, nor your situations, and DEFINITLY not by others judgments. You are defined by what you consent to being identified as.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This piece centered around the judgements made on people who are infected. I recall earlier arguments about HIV being "the gay disease" (paired with homophobia) as a reason to do nothing to address the growing pandemic that was happening. The infection seemed branded as something that happened only to gay people, and particularly gay men, which overlooked several other demographics who were impacted and still impacted today. To this day, the medical and healthcare industry is still exploring ways to be more careful around the languages we use regarding infections, having recognize biases that can be embedded in them that may influence public behavior which can ffect public health.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This piece was made while I was thinking about "what can be done to address this major issue?" I thought about solutions such as mandated vaccines or policies that made it easier and more affordable to access these precaution resources, and how to change the way the culture views these infections and those impacted by them. A single coherent thought came from this: "Start at home". Ironically, I was listening to the song "Growing Up" from Macklemore which said in its verses about focusing on the things you love and work on local change every day and somehow that will ripple out into the world. This was also around the time I was considering doing an exhibition platforming Trans voices as a response to the 45th President's Executive Order to dismiss Trans soldiers from duty and banning Transgender civilians from enrolling into military service. I did not want to do nothing and watch as the world goes haywire around me. Even if it is something small like standing up for someone or building relationships, or putting on an exhibition, if it can make a difference, than I think it is worth it.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
Little details, when overlooked, can result in major impacts and problems later. I think about the scenarios where a condom breaks, a birth control is neutralized, when PreP doesn't work for some reason or that you forgot to take it. Even the most careful people, if they slip for one moment, could risk getting infected. Recently, I had caught something and though I was careful and did all the safety precautions, I still got infected with something. Thankfully it was curable but I remember having to track everything trying to figure out where was the "slip-up". A major take away I had with this was that there is always a probability and sometimes things happen even when the probability is as low as possible.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This reflection was specifically on the emotional toll of HIV and STIs in general. I considered the actions of a person to get tested often, wear a condom, take PreP, share their status, take treatments, or just be concerned of your well-being to be not only considerate but sexy and I try to do the same in my sexual encounters. Yes we are here for a good time but we are also people who are tied to whole communities and how we treat each other, even in just sex, should be with compassion and respect to our shared humanity.
One of seven meditations and reflections on the risk we take for human connection. In this case, this was a meditation on the risk of HIV whin it began wreaking havoc on countless communities of different backgrounds. Each piece represents a take away from said meditations and reflections when making this work from found objects dipped in acrylic paint and ink.
This meditation specifically centers on the idea of taking action and personal responsibility. There are several arguments for and against sexual encounters, using contraception, using condoms, and using prep. I reflected on the factors that weigh into my decision on the matter and the decisions others come to. Regardless of your reasons, either to do or do not. Either you take the safety precautions or not; either you take the risk or not; either you participate or not. Regardless, no one is allowed to judge... but instead decide what will THEY do and own that decision. It is never the consequence that bothers me, but the actions and factors that affect the probability of said consequences happening.