Gender fluid artist, Drew Johnson, has just announced his new series entitled, Gender Portraits. Gender Portraits pairs interviews with vibrant, realistic paintings to shed light on transgender and intersex peoples. A Kickstarter campaign, which is active through Monday, May 26th, has been launched to allow the first 10-15 paintings of the series to be reproduced in a line of canvas and paper prints. This will allow the art to be shared across more people; increasing the impact of the cause.
Many gender nonconformists face hostility and prejudice born from ignorance on a daily basis. According to the Organization of American States last year, the murder rate for transgender peoples was reported at 50 percent higher than lesbians and gays. A couple years prior, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention found transgender people to be at an “exceptionally high” risk of suicide, with an attempt rate of 41 percent. For these reasons among many, it’s important that the world starts seeing gender diversity as relatable, natural, and beautiful; and even more important that gender nonconformists see themselves that way.
It’s Drew Johnson’s goal, through Gender Portraits, to change the public view of gender through visibility and education. “The interviews, blogs, and art should work in balance. The idea is to make people curious with the art, so that they seek out information instead of it being forced upon them,” said Johnson.
Gender Portraits already has four completed paintings, with more on the way. The series is planned to be officially released online and in galleries, this fall. To see the first paintings, and learn about the project, please visit www.genderportraits.com. For information about the Kickstarter campaign, please visit www.kickstarter.com
Contacts:
Drew Johnson
EMAIL: drew@genderportraits.com
WEBSITE: www.genderportraits.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GenderPortraits
