Asterisk

Did you follow this * out of curiosity?

I was asexual for 8 years. For me, this meant that I did not experience sexual attraction, genitals did not interest me, and I didn’t intentionally present myself as a sexual being. I am also non-binary (they/she), which in my situation means that although I was identified by the doctor as female when I was born and for most of my life I have answered to she/her, I am not limited to that gender and the stereotypes and expectations that are generally ascribed to that gender. I choose they/them for myself because that feels freeing; I am a person, not a gender. And I am panromantic; gender is not a limiting factor in who I form deep, intimate connections with.

What impact does this have on my art? The majority of costumed characters I’ve created are genderless. I don’t do “sexy” characters, although some of my characters are very powerful and if the viewer sexualizes me as the wearer, they may perceive my costumed persona as sexual even when that is not my intention. None of my costumes overtly invite a sexual gaze, so if one of my characters is seen thusly, the burden falls upon the viewer. None of my work is made as an examination of the body, but rather as an exploration of what lies beyond the body.