What Is Gender Portraits?
Gender Portraits is a documentary series that combines painted portraits and written stories to explore peoples’ lived experiences with gender. The work focuses on trans, intersex and gender nonconforming people, to show experiences the beyond mainstream cis-het gender binary and traditional western gender roles. The artist, Drew Riley, shows the series in a variety of venues, using art as a gateway for education and advocacy. The artworks is also used in speaking engagements about sex and gender issues using Gender Portraits paintings and story excerpts to deepen the impact.
Are All the Subjects Transgender?
Transgender people are only a part of the diverse gender spectrum. Intersex people, drag performers, and other cisgender people who present outside of gender norms, are examples of people with diverse bodies and/or gender presentations who may not be trans. Transgender is also not a universal term. There are many peoples and cultures who do not identify with the term transgender, and may have their own terms (or not) to describe their experience with gender. We can’t have a sophisticated conversation about gender without looking at as many lived experiences that people have with it as possible. The series is still growing and is not yet a complete picture, so if you feel that you do not see yourself represented in this work, please submit to be painted or contact us to begin a dialogue. We are always eager for new subjects and will be happy to share your story.
If you have any questions about the Gender Portraits project that were not addressed, please contact us.