Sal Beyer-Labrecque, Understanding and Acceptance
I created a series of sculptures that follow my experience of understanding and accepting my gender identity. They span from the early stages of childhood, to where I am today. As a child I felt trapped in a box of femininity, and over feminized myself to fit the gender binary. Over time, I grew increasingly uncomfortable with being feminine, and didn’t really know why. I found comfort in sports, where I could be just as athletic and capable as the boys. However, there was still a lingering feeling that something was wrong. It wasn’t until right before covid started that I started questioning my gender identity. I had endless time to stare at my ceiling and repeatedly ask myself the question ‘who am I?’ Finally flipping the switch and realizing that I was trans was the best discovery of my life. Sure, it was terrifying to realize and comprehend, but once the feeling settled, it felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders, because I was one step closer to being my true self. In my three sculptures, I used materials that are gender binary, or that have special meaning from my childhood. This helps to convey how caged I was in my childhood being confined to feminine gender binaries, and how I use them to push myself forward and become my own person, regardless of what is considered binary.
Materials: Ribbon, Wire, Childhood toys, Hot glue, Jewelry, Baseball and basketball equipment/apparel, Tissue paper, Children’s clothes/shoes, Barbie clothes and brushes, Fabric, Dolls, Scrabble letters, Card, Picture, Testosterone containers, Painter’s tape, Acrylic paint, Umbrella, Field hockey goggles, Sunglasses, Trucks, Nail polish, Lipstick, Shin guards, Puzzle pieces, Mittens, a cardboard pig, A lei, and Paint swatches
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