A Message to Cisgender Artists

We are tired of hearing that projects by cisgender artists, who only focus on the physical characteristics or the transition of trans people, exist to give us a voice, when we are constantly silenced. We want to make it clear that work centred around these tropes perpetuates harmful stereotypes and encourages unsafe ways of looking at and interacting with trans people. Our canvas is the wall of an art institution to embed our message into the very foundation of artistic learning. We hope our words will encourage cisgender artists to become aware of this issue and to do better.

  • Kat Cassar is currently working towards their Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from OCAD University. Their work incorporates archival and documentation techniques through film photography, installation and text. This allows for them to reflect on their experiences through a conceptual approach to documentary photography, often focusing on themes of identity, memory, and grief.

  • Samuel Gratton is a queer transgender male artist who works primarily in lens-based mediums. His work explores gender, sexuality, identity, memory, and the materiality of photography. Samuel is currently working towards his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from OCAD University.

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