Transfigurations
October 7 - October 31, 2008
Bay Area documentary photographer Jana Marcus is known for her compassionate and revealing images of underground subcultures. Her award-winning exhibition, Transfigurations, is a groundbreaking photographic series on the transgender community.
Public awareness of transgender issues has grown over the past decade. The increased visibility of transgender persons, however, has resulted in an increase in discrimination and violence. According to the Gender Education and Advocacy organization, “Transgendered people are the most stigmatized and misunderstood of the larger sexual minorities (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender)”. In spite of this, the transgender community is emerging into its own place in history.
Displayed beside texts from interviews with her subjects, these stark, large-format photographs capture the transformed faces and bodies of those whom Marcus describes as “Truly self-made men and women”.
*Blake’s portrait appears in the exhibition.