2025
Archival Hahnemühle cold press paper, framed
( 24 in x 30 in )
Edition of 10

“GARDEN SHADOWS OF THE SUN” COLLECTION

In Garden Shadows of the Sun, I’ve paired Florida fauna known to exhibit queer behaviors—such as flamingos—with portraits of local LGBTQ+ individuals, creating a symbolic link between natural and human behaviors of queerness.

As it does in nature, queerness has long existed within creative traditions, sometimes only conveyed through coded signifiers—Oscar Wilde’s green carnation, for example—rather than direct representation. In the past, many people chose to depict not queerness itself, but symbols of queerness—mirroring the behavior of many individuals who, under social pressure, presented only acceptable versions of themselves: silhouettes rather than full selves.

Having experienced life both within and outside the confines of concealment, this work affirms that queerness has always been part of the cultural fabric—sometimes lit plainly, sometimes cast in shadow—but always present.