We want to collaborate with you and the talented artists who developed illustrations graphically inspired by interactive print media (comic books, storyboards, coloring books, connect the dots, fill in the blank) to explore the themes, scenes, and scenarios derived from peoples’ answers to our survey on masculinity.
3 illustrations from each artist are embedded with interactive elements that prompt you to reflect on and challenge your own understandings of gender expression and embodiments of masculinity, more specifically.
jie en is a taiwanese-american illustrator who loves to play with shapes and colors to create wonky, dreamy imagery.
Reading through all the different types of responses [from the X-aMEN-ing survey] was interesting and relatable. Though I could sadly relate to plenty of the experiences with toxic ideals of masculinity, I really enjoyed seeing all the less limited perspectives being taught to so many. I hope everyone who engages with these illustrations see them as something to put on the wall, and adjust based on mood (like if you’re in a workout mood, you swap to workout Arnold).
Geov is a trans/nonbinary multimedia artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Using clay, ink, and digital memory, they craft stories with an unsettling whimsy to them. Previous works include short comics for Northwest Press, ShortBox Comics Fair, and Peow Studio.
These three collage illustrations function like a workbook / journal prompt. A small beast thinks out loud about masculinity in relation to culture and self, hoping to converse with you.
Arantza Peña Popo is a queer Latinx cartoonist and illustrator based in Los Angeles, CA. She makes vibrant and intimately expressive comics that explore the sticky sensations of sexuality, mental illness, and queerness all in a pink and purple hues. Image by Jon Del Real.
Molly Stanard is a transmasc nonbinary illustrator and visual development artist, primarily working in the animation industry from their studio in scenic Brooklyn, New York.
These illustrations are reminiscent of dollhouses and sets. Whatever goes on within them is entirely up to the participants and there can be elements of both performance and truth alike in the actions. Projection and reinforcement are present, but also the ability to play and experiment. All of this is informed by my interpretation of the importance of space in forming lasting impressions.
Feel free to jot down ideas in the space below the prompts, draw over and color in areas within the illustrated rooms, add props and characters, dialog.
Olioli Buika (They/He) is a Sāmoan faʻatane illustrator currently living on Canarsee and Munsee Lenape land (Brooklyn, New York). His art is a simple love letter to his experiences growing up in the arms of the island of Maui, growing up as a queer trans child of diaspora, and the love and healing he has experienced through his indigiqueer and trans siblings across every ocean. Recently he has been creating digitally but loves to make art through analog media, such as watercolor, ceramic, and whatever else the future holds. You can find his personal work by sifting through some fanart on instagram @friedchiliflakess <3
My art practice encompasses a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and more, to explore themes of sexual and gender identity as they interact with and contradict my Korean American background. I employ the physical deconstruction and reconstruction of materials to metaphorically dismantle social norms and challenge hegemonic forces that constrain my self-expression. While much of my work’s content is based on personal experience, its essence resonates with universal experiences of conformity. Through my art, I strive to critique and push against societal pressures to conform, ultimately creating space for personal and collective liberation.
Janeth Aparicio Vazquez (Los Angeles), is a first-generation Chicanx artist and historian as curandera. Her work spans ink and graphite drawing, wood-burning, printmaking, and mixed-media installation. Aparicio uses this range of materials to create tender offerings to her communities: past, present, and future. As of late, Aparicio is interested in agroforestry and restorative perennial ecosystems. She holds a BA in visual art from Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA.
This series of three coloring pages–one with connect the dots– is a reflection on how machismo, Capitalistism, and other societal pressures have interrupted the generational passage of traditional healthy emotional processing practices in many families just trying to survive. And how music can act as a crutch that clears blockages, helps build emotional intelligence, and fosters healthy relationships. The lyrics featured in the first two coloring pages are from legendary Mexican singer Juan Gabriel’s “Pero Que Necesidad”.
#1
A mî me requisito estar solito
pa soltar un llanto
las de Juanga me las sacan
pero ellos le frenan
#2
Lo que vi, yo hago lo mismo
el mismisito Juanga me saca las lágrimas
que verdad:
“pero que necesidad
y para que tanto problema”
#3
Juntos al final
dejando reventar el llanto con el violín y guitarra
con gritos de charro si sabemos
conectarnos
con quienes somos
Kezna Dalz, Also known professionally as Teenadult, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tio’tia:Ke (Montreal). Her work mostly consists of painting and digital illustration. We recognize it by the raw brush traits and use of bright colors. The recurring themes addressed in her work are feminism, self love and self care, emotional vulnerability and anti-racism. She sometimes tackles difficult subjects, making them accessible through a pastel and soft universe with naive features.
Paradise is a visual artist, poet, and graphic designer exploring science fiction, color theory, the fabric of reality, and the sensual richness of our world. Their work ranges from digital illustration to animated music videos, color pencil drawings, and book media. Their general interests include science, cultural analyses, delicious food, and music. They are Iranian American and from Los Angeles, California.
Trankis (Karina/they/she) is a Mexican American artist and DJ from South East Los Angeles. As a youth they participated in intersectional feminist filmmaking practices with iMediate Justice and immersed themselves in photography and stop motion animation. In high school and college they sharpened their skills as an illustrator and received their BFA in illustration from CSU: Long Beach. During their last year of college they joined the all women vinyl collective Chulita Vinyl Club (CVC) where they began their colorful musical career. In CVC they amplified their unique style, meshing latin sounds along with queer dance music classics and various genres. While in CVC they also developed their artistic style creating event flyers and social media assets for the collective. Trankis currently hosts a monthly night called A Quien Le Importa? with another CVC member that explores queer latin dance music, roquero and post punk genres. Additionally, Trankis artwork can be found under @bientrankis via instagram.
Isa Moreno is a Los Angeles based queer and trans Mexican-American animator from Watsonville CA, moving through this world with their pen in one hand and their heart in the other. Since childhood, they have dedicated their work toward imagining new realities and sanctuaries for her Queer, Trans, Black Indigenous, Siblings of Color to exist in. They are currently a graduate student at the UCLA Animation Workshop, completing a mixed media 2-dimensional and stop-motion short film. Their career interests include character design, film editing, animating and telling stories that reflect the lessons they learned in childhood.
Dakota Noot is a Los Angeles-based artist and curator. He uses drawings, paintings, and installations to create animal-human hybrids that explore rural yet fantastical, queer identities. Originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, he continues to show in both North Dakota and Los Angeles, including solo and two-person shows at Highways Performance Space, MuzeuMM, and PØST. Noot has exhibited in group shows at Charlie James Gallery, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Torrance Art Museum, and LAST Projects. His series of cutout drawing-installations have been shown at LA Freewaves, Cerritos College Art Gallery, and Otis College. His work has been featured in Hi-Fructose. Noot graduated with a BFA in Visual Arts from the University of North Dakota (2015) and an MFA from Claremont Graduate University (2017).