Cervidae at Catalyst Contemporary, Baltimore
Cervidae (Collage) No. 17, Acrylic and laser-printed photos on canvas, 46 x 46 inches, 2021
CERVIDAE
Catalyst Contemporary
October 21 - December 11, 2021
Solo exhibition in Baltimore, Maryland
The word Cervidae describes the large family of even-toed, hoofed mammals that possess deciduous antlers. Members of the order Artiodactyla, these animals include deer, elk, moose and the like. Deer have long appeared in art (such as the Paleolithic cave paintings) and are prominently featured in mythology, religion, and literature. Since the Middle Ages, deer hunting has offered humans staples of sustenance in the form of venison, buckskin, and antlers.
I am a native of Texas – and, as such, I came to know white-tailed deer at a very young age. I grew up in the state’s Hill Country, frequently seeing and interacting with deer in-person as ever-present, ruminant visitors. Deer “trophies” from hunting trips hung in my home and in the homes of my family members. I grew up thinking that my involvement in hunting as a “sport” was mandatory.
During this time, I frequently observed a variety of expectations for my behaviors and interests. There were those things that I should be interested in – or could be interested in – and, there were those that were strictly off-limits. Hunting, for example, was a strong should. No doubt, my experiences with hunting were awkward and confusing. Many times, I thoughtlessly went along with others, reinforcing their values and standards instead of upholding my own.
In contemplating this period of my life, I have considered how expectations for gender and sexuality are inherently social. Many of the ways we interact with one another are governed by faith. Our minds are shaped by those around us. We conform to this system or are ostracized. In reality, the judgments we make arise from frames of the mind. Seemingly obvious statements have new meaning when spoken amid the necessity for dignity and equality.
With the solo exhibition Cervidae, I explore gender and sexual identity via the image of a so-called “trophy buck” – one that, for me, represents pride, strength, and honesty. By repeating this form, I am reenacting and contemplating my own actions – in many cases, those influenced by the beliefs and expectations of others. In addition, as I produce the work, I am imagining how I might have affirmed myself during many uncomfortable moments.
Visit the gallery’s Website for exhibition overview
Catalyst Contemporary, 523 Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201
catalystcontemporary.com