Jesse Symon

Bio

Jesse Symon (b.1978), a transmasculine multidisciplinary artist, has pushed boundaries to explore diverse identities and human experience since the late 1990s. Their work challenges traditional art spaces and champions marginalized voices. Their sculptural series titled "Transformers" is a prime example. These mixed-media sculptures invite interaction, questioning ideas of permanence and identity through the incorporation of evocative materials. Plaster casts of hot water bottles provided a sense of comfort, while hearts symbolized the complexities of the mind. Lungs, strings, and the delicate balance of these elements alluded to the fragility of life and the tension between bodily needs and societal expectations.

Inspired by figures like Del Lagrace Volcano, Jesse has researched lived experiences of trans communities, creating a visual archive of their stories. Despite a traditional fine arts background (Victorian College of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from RMIT, where they made painting, sound, video installations and large photographic works), Jesse continuously faced resistance from established galleries. This led them to alternative spaces that aligned with their social advocacy. Jesse curates exhibitions for other marginalized artists, prioritizing authenticity over mainstream acceptance (Transmen Translated 2007, Transmasculinities 2010, Moments of Being 2015, Brighton Pride 2018). Most recently their work, large oil paintings, has resurfaced forgotten or erased aspects of queer history, meticulously reconstructing and crafting new narratives. Artwork that challenges rising oppression and transphobia resulting from increased awareness and visibility.

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