FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THIS SKIN I’M IN: A VISUAL NARRATIVE OF SELF
Moving. Educational. Empowering. Innovative Multi-Media Photography Exhibit
Revolve Gallery July 2- August 29, 2022, 821 Riverside Dr. #179, Asheville, NC
and
Tipton Gallery, Eastern Tennessee State University, October, 2022, 126 Spring Street, Johnson City, TN 37604
THIS SKIN I’M IN is a collection of images and narratives by artists in and engaged with the Lgbtqia+ community-a series of visual autobiographies. Photographers were invited to submit work that expresses their own personal experiences of queerness using photography and narrative as a vehicle for self-expression. The goal is to empower the photographers to be seen and heard as they wish, and not as a viewer may preconceive.
The intention of this sort of exhibition is to invite the viewer to rethink societal labels of difference and otherness and presents us with the opportunity to play with preconceived definitions of gender and the language we use around this subject. How do we use pronouns? What do we think about folks if their presentation is not what we are comfortable or familiar with? What can we learn from seeing and hearing their stories?
Education & Innovation
One of the many innovative and educational aspects of the exhibit is a free, downloadable APP called This Skin I’m In. (Available July 1, 2022). The app will feature the entire exhibition, a curriculum guide, discussion points for more in-depth study into gender and identity as well as short recorded interviews by a few of the contributing photographers.
The Photographers
The show incorporates work by 21 photographers at different points in their careers and reflects identities widely varied in terms of age, race, gender, and sexuality.
Among these artists is Michael Borowski, a professor in the region who teaches photography at Virginia Tech (michaelborowski.com). Another featured artist, Julie Rae Powers, is a photographer originally from this region. Julie Rae’s work has focused on Appalachia and queer chosen families amongst other personally meaningful topics. (julieraepowers.com)
Film & Zine
Additional features include an 8 minute film WHERE WE BELONG by Olivia DelGandio, an MFA student in Art & Social Practice at Portland State University. Lex Turnbull (they/them), adjunct professor and Revolve director (http://www.revolveavl.org), is creating a zine. Both projects highlight stories of self-identification.
Behind The Lens
THIS SKIN I’M IN is curated by photographer Starr Sariego (she/her), whose work includes the critically acclaimed The Compassion Project (https://www.thecompassionprojectmiami.com). Sariego creates photography exhibitions designed to create social awareness and change. “I’ve always been drawn to helping underrepresented communities. By using photography and storytelling, I can turn these passions into agents for change.”
Curation partner Tema Stauffer (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Photography
Department of Art & Design at East Tennessee State University. Stauffer discovered several students (three of which are featured in this exhibition) confided in her about various struggles that they faced as young queer people experiencing the pressures of family, church, and politics of this region. “I was moved to hear that, for some students, making photographs of themselves and/or their communities was an important part of the early stages of understanding, revealing, and celebrating who they are. These photographs were first steps into the world as their true selves.”
Partners In Education
Blue Ridge Pride (https://blueridgepride.org), WNC LGBTQIA+ Archive (https://blueridgepride.org/projects/education-and-outreach/oral-history/), Campaign For Southern Equality (https://southernequality.org) and Sothern Equality Studios (https://southernequality.org/southern-equality-studios/).