"Describe your work, what is it that you do?"
"I’m a first-generation, Non-Binary/Trans Ugandan/Liberian-American portrait photographer, socially-engaged artist, educator, researcher and author. I primarily provide freelance services in content creation and creative marketing for local and regional nonprofit arts and social justice organizations, institutions and foundations. Using both traditional and new approaches to image-making, curating, public presentation and publishing in my independent artist practice, I apply my background in cultural anthropology, political science and community organizing to develop projects that reframe the personal narratives and human condition of Black, Queer, Immigrant and historically marginalized people in how they define identity, build community and establish belonging within it.
"What brings you Joy as an artist?"
"Seeing other Queer and Trans artists be bold, shine and recognized in their authenticity and power. In the context of my practice, witnessing how much excitement and joy that people - those I already have a relationship with and those I have yet to encounter - express from being able to connect and relate with others in their community through my public presentations. Exhibitions and installations are my favorite kinds of projects because they are inherently collaborative, temporal and public. I have a deep passion for making art accessible to the public."
"What are some benefits and challenges of being a trans artist in Hennepin County?"
"Living here for 9 years, I have been able to self-sustain an independent artist practice through freelancing and collaborating with community-based formations and developing independent projects with grant funding. However, most of those organizations and formations will only provide holistic support that go beyond funding like mentorship and peer-learning to artists aged between 18-24, so there is a limit to how much growth an artist can experience while residing in Hennepin County.
In addition, many of these programs do not center the needs of Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) artists, so the level of additional support (funding for housing, healthcare, etc.) that a Trans artist would require to fully participate in intensive programs like residencies are not included and present challenges for professional and artistic development.
Resources I would love to see provided to Trans artists in Hennepin County would be the kind that provide individuals, especially those without LLC’s or 501(c)3 statuses, access to funding so they can rest, take time off of working."
