2022

glitter, cempasúchil, lavender, candles, gold paint, Florida water, tattooing needle, ink

In a Queer spiritual practice, what is an altar? For a lot of Queer and Trans people, adorning the body is a way to get closer to your truest self. I consider this a way to honor the ancestors as well, for they fought so that we may exist. In untitled (I AM THE ALTAR), I create a silhouette of my body against the wall with gold paint and glitter. I then honor the tradition of Queer adorning by tattooing “I AM THE ALTAR” on myself against my mirrored silhouette. Lastly, I lay on the silhouette, light all of the candles, and place candles on my body and lay there till the candles go out.