I have a show coming up, made of works that don’t come from me alone—LOL at the tired myth of the solitary heroic studio genius ๐
Many thanks to my studio assistants @sophiabeallart, @charlieroses, @d__ribi, @kahni.shi, and @m.ian.smith for your hard labor, acts of faith, care, patience, humor, and willingness to dive into the weird sticky sharp dusty glittery mess of my work.
I wish I could hire them full-time and pay what they deserve. But my practice is not a factory. I don’t make that kind of work. I hire when I can, and they deserve more opportunities than I’m able to give them.
If you are looking for studio assistants, fabrication help, install support, or production support—hit me up. Yes, I will be screening you, because these are my babies and I’m not sending them into some chaotic exploitative mess worse than mine. Paid work. Respect. Clear expectations. Credit where credit is due. Pie day. Don’t be a dick.
The hands that helped hold me and the work are part of the work. Thank you for helping make Glitter Mani Fest a reality together. โจโจโจโจโจ๐๐
Surfaces from the studio. Rhinestones, resin, mirror, glitter, dirt, steel, skin, shell, armor, tender mother.
“These works are all surface in the way we are all all surface, inside and out… The mother is everything outside the body that gives the body its shape; it is the body that holds the body.”
— @sentimentalprof, from the press release for Glitter Mani Fest
Sleep-deprived, but reenergized by @jaycarlon visiting the studio today! Thank you Jay, and have an amazing time at Log Haven! Can’t wait to finish and share the shimmering queer fruits of our collab at @commonwealthandcouncil sooon โจโจโจ
Last week #Inthestudio: transformed into a tiny queer printmaking factory turning silicone body fragments into ghostly traces—soon to become inserts for the next run of Glitter Mani Festo โจ
Loved the chaotic, playful, intimate collaboration w/ studio fam @sophiabeallart @kahni.shi @d__ribi ๐๐๐
๐ข๐๐พ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐พ ๐น๐๐๐, my exhibition at @commonwealthandcouncil, opens May 30.
Not everyone I love, make work with or for will be able to encounter the show in person. And my practice has never sat neatly in a gallery anyway. I’ve always been a glittery slut who’s been about refusing a singular or fixed encounter.
I want to be more intentional about offering multiple, parallel ways into the work: an editioned artist book/zine, ๐พ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฝ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ , with hidden glittery studio-fragment inserts; an audio release on cassette and Bandcamp; and captioned walkthrough/process videos. I don’t think of these as secondary to the “real” show—they’re other ways of getting intimate with the work.
If you want to keep up with first dibs on mailable sparkly objects, free stuff, BTS peeks, show/performance updates, and glitter bombs, sign up for my mailing list at the link in bio. โจ
1. Me and and Sungjae Lee in “Curing, Shimmering, Together,” performance collabo with @youngsunart @sungjae___lee, @ Stonewall National Monument. Photo: @cindytrinh.photo
2. Zine mockup with unique oil-ink monoprints, studio-fragment inserts, edition of 100.
So much love and gratitude to @JayCarlon for trusting me with his body. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot through the trust and grace of friends and collaborators who’ve allowed me to cast their bodies—sometimes through pain and discomfort, even when things didn’t go as planned and I felt like I failed them. It’s always an unfolding negotiation of care and limits in real time. After the first hour, as increasingly more layers hardened over his body— more weight, heat, and pressure, he began repeating: “I am strong, I am powerful, I am beautiful, I am divine.” He invited me and my assistants to join in and we all followed. I felt held by him in that moment. I told him the word “Divine” appears in a lot of my sculpture titles. I hope the work carries that forward.
Jay—WTF. You’re amazing. Thank you.
We could all use some support
W/ @sungjae___lee @sophiabeallart @d__ribi
โจ
For anyone curious about the process behind my Whitney biennial installation: here are some snaps of the molds, the labor, the collaboration—that came before the glamour.
Sometimes shimmer is mistaken for surface. In queer and trans cultures, glamour has long been a strategy of attention, invitation, and world-making—a way of creating collective presence in spaces that often exclude our bodies. My work is formed from the impressions of our bodies, and shimmer creates intimacy by allowing people to see themselves inside it.
I love that people photograph themselves with the work—with our presence. But the piece also unfolds through time, sound, movement, and participation—that’s why I love to hear the responses from the museum workers who spend the most time with the work๐ฅฒ. Alongside the sculpture is the score “Soft Revolt Jamz (Glittered)”, created with Marvin Astorga (of @xinaxurner), which nods to the queer nightlife that taught me how glamour can become a form of world-making, and features voices and sounds from dear friends and collaborators whose presence gives rhythm and breadth for the encounter.
Grateful to @grahamrecently for originally commissioning the work for my Matrix show @bampfa, @drewmsawyer and Marcela for having faith in its presence, and for everyone who lended their bodies, voices, and time to the work: @travesdee @annaluisapetrisko @charlieroses @goldenbeesnees @m.ian.smith @petepuskas @laconejita.co @senormijo @bighedva @dorianwoodmusic
Whitney/NYC photo dump. don’t take enough pictures, but a few moments with old and new loves for posterity. Love and gratitude to the @whitneymuseum team (@drewmsawyer, Marcela, @beatrizcifuentesl @hiviscosity, install, LIGHTING, AV, education, etc), catalogue/curator mama @insta_matina). @vaginaldavis_official at @momaps1 ๐ Wish I could tag everyoneโจ๐ซ ๐
<sound on!> My assistants agree that there is so much unseen hard labor and care that takes place in the studio—oftentimes messy, frustrating, tedious, sweaty and physically draining, erotic…it’s such a part of the work, though many only get to see the inverse. I want to share more with y’all—starting with today’s gratifying moment of becoming together with @sungjae___lee in the studio, with the support of @charlieroses and @sophiabeallart.
#thebeauty and #thesubstance
My heart is full of glitter and gratitude to be part of the upcoming Whitney Biennial.
So much love for my collaborators and chosen family. None of this happens alone. Hoping my contribution makes space for our collective shimmer.
Thanks to curators marcelacguerrero and @drewmsawyer @whitneymuseum #whitneybiennial
More soon! ๐ โจ๐๐
Happy to share more new work that recently debuted at @estherschippergallery Seoul: ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐) is an ongoing series of sculptural fragments or ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ that I’m excited to expand on into the future to create new compositions. These ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ are cast from close friends, performance artists, and queer femme kin @travesdee and @annaluisapetrisko.
I don’t take it lightly that these powerful beings offered their bodies to my intimate and strenuous process — allowing me and my assistants to touch their naked and vulnerable bodies. They entrusted me to record their impressions — their strength, softness, wounds, and gorgeous imperfections — in a way that refuses fixity and full capture or containment, but is instead faithful to their transformations.
I hope the absence becomes a space for intimate connection—where viewers from all walks may also see their own transitioning bodies reflected within our transformations.
On view at @estherschippergallery in Seoul through Dec. 13, 2025 — curated by #YoungChung @commonwealthandcouncil. With studio assistance from @charlieroses, @sophiabeallart, @d__ribi. Stands by @laconejita.co. 3D model by @andre.atkinss. Photos by @sevlasphoto. Install photos by Hyun Jun Lee.
๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐)
Slide 2. ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ท๐๐๐๐๐/๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ , 2025
Slide 3. ๐จ๐๐๐, ๐ณ๐๐๐/๐ญ๐๐๐ , 2025
Slide 4. ๐จ๐๐๐, ๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐/๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐, 2025
Slide 5. ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐, ๐น๐๐๐๐/๐น๐๐๐๐๐, 2025
#transKorea #estherschipperseoul #youngjoonkwak
I recently had the unique opportunity to show this piece ๐ฃ๐ป๐ช๐ท๐ผ ์ผํ๊ทน in a show up RN at @estherschippergallery in Seoul. The ์ผํ๊ทน or tri-yin-yang is an ancient Korean symbol of cosmic flow of earth, heaven, and humanity that still adorns objects of national pride — but I shifted the traditional red, blue, and yellow for the soft pink, blue, and white colors of universal trans pride.
I felt an urgent need to put this beacon of trans-national/historic love and belonging out there at a time when people are trying to erase trans people from existence globally. I want to invite all viewers to come closer to our shimmering glow. And I hope this means something for trans people in Korea and across the diaspora navigating these dangerous times and those still coming into themselves.
โจโจ๐ฐ๐ท๐ณ๏ธโง๏ธโจโจ
Please share with your friends in Korea — the show is up til Dec. 13, 2025.
Many thanks to @commonwealthandcouncil and @sun_dayprojects for the opportunity to show ๐ฃ๐ป๐ช๐ท๐ผ ์ผํ๊ทน and my other works alongside @eusung.lee; Andy and @patinafabio #Bohstudios for fabricating the panel; @charlieroses, @sophiabeallart, @d__ribi for studio assistance; and @sevlasphoto for the photos.
#transKorea #transpride #transgenderkorea #estherschipperseoul
Excited to show new work in Korea, the motherland, in this two-person show w/ @eusung.lee at @estherschippergallery (Seoul) in collaboration with @commonwealthandcouncil. It’s been a treat to be in conversation with @eusung.lee ๐
As always, this one’s for the dolls. More soon ๐ฐ๐ท๐ฉต๐ฉท๐ค๐ฉท๐ฉต๐
โจFriends & supporters of LA’s vital arts communitiesโจโจIt’s that time of year again—to give back to LA’s longest-running nonprofit experimental arts exhibition space: @welcometolace! For 48+ years, LACE has supported LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant, BIPOC, and mutant artists in our city.
๐ฅ Their annual benefit auction is LIVE now—featuring some of your fave artists, including me ๐—and the works are a STEAL.๐ฅ
Some of y’all newer to LA may not know LACE since the old building was demolished a few years back. They’ve been rebuilding (through many delays), but still consistently presenting amazing programs across the city. They’ve long been THE EXEMPLARS of stellar curation like no other w/ @selene__preciado, @dunadarina, @agirlnamedjuan, and supporting the broader field through their emerging curators program. I love the team, what they’ve done, and what they’re cooking up—wouldn’t be on the board if I didn’t ๐คช Just wait til the new Hollywood space opens ๐คฉ
๐ In the meantime, throw LACE some love, support, and cash if you can @welcometolaceโจ๐ Benefit is next Thursday, 9/25 at the legendary @metabolicstudio @laurenmetropolis
๐ฅ๐ฅIf you can’t make it to the fancy preview, DON’t MISS THE PERFORMANCES + PARTY (sliding scale—artists $25!!!): 8:30–11PM w/ @0ll668, @canarytest & DJ @coloredcraig ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
DM me if you wanna come to the party but $$ is tight.
๐ ๐ ๐ฅณ๐๐บ๐ชฉ
As RESISTERHOOD came to a close, my heart was—and still is—full of gratitude. It’s been a dream to witness this exhibition mean something to queer, trans, diasporic communities whose existence and survival I need to survive—who remind me why I make work in the first place—not for the market, the art world, but for the possibility of our existing otherwise.
To my curator @insta_matina — your curatorial care has been a gentle hand keeping me afloat and guiding this work into the world. Thank you for meeting me in negative spaces, giving language to what I couldn’t always name, and finding meaning in the shimmer. I am grateful for your trust and belief in what the work could hold.
Thank you to my assistants @charlieroses @m.ian.smith @kahni.shi, fabricators, friends and collaborators, and everyone who came out and got intimatewith us. โจ๐ณ๏ธโง๏ธ๐ณ๏ธ๐๐ฝ๐ป๐ณ๏ธ
OOP! Performance starts EARLY TONIGHT for the dolls— doors at 5:45, magic begins at 6 sharp โจ๐. Join our divine queer Korean counter-monumental Trinity @youngsunart @thony0806 and partake in the collective transformational love, resistance!
As my show at @leslielohmanmuseum nears the end of its run at the end of this month, I’m feeling super thankful for all the love shown via photos, stories, dms, messages, and writing. Thankful for my curator @insta_matina and to @peanutbutterandjealousybanana for your generous and insightful review of RESISTERHOOD in the @brooklynrail—for listening to the @xinaxurner score, and writing with vulnerability, care, and staying with the ambiguity, and allowing yourself to be affected by it, not just keeping it at an academic distance. Check it out via the link in my bio. ๐๏ธ
ALSO!!! ๐ซOn July 24, if you’re in NYC, join us for another collective experience of vulnerability, care, and proximity. It’s been a lil queer Korean kid’s dream collaborating with these two other queer Korean artists and performers who I deeply admire @thony0806 and @youngsunart ๐ฐ๐ท๐
โจCuring, Shimmering, Together – a ritual performance & collective protest walk
co-presented by @leslielohmanmuseum, @queerart, and @commonwealthandcouncil โจlocation: Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art → Stonewall MonumentโจSat July 20, 6:30 PM til when the last light fades.โจRSVP link in bio / @leslielohmanmuseum
DON’T MISS THIS. ๐โจโจโจ
TOMORROW! Virtual conversation with Glenn Kaino @gkstudio, another artist in “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture” at @americanart, moderated by one of the curators Grace Yasumura— exploring the relationship between community, power, and monument making. Registration link in bio xx
Last image: Glenn Kaino, Bridge, 2013-2014, fiberglass, steel, wire and gold paint, dimensions variable, Smithsonian American Art Museum
