Tits Out
I’ve learned to really BE in my body and I enjoy being in spaces clothes-free, in the same way that I came into earthside. Throughout my childhood I received negative messages about my body and I was forced to cover my body in ways that did not feel authentic to me as a girl and young woman. I learned to only see my body through a predatory lens.
Growing up in the Queer Bay Area, a place where sexual expression was encouraged, I would try to dress in ways that made me feel confident, sexy and empowered, and because of that I was punished and shamed in painful ways. But this only made me stronger in my drive to be authentic. Being nude or topless became a way for me to fully express. Today, I feel thankful to have the freedom to be expansive in my gender identity and wear things that make me feel playful, joyful, sensual - like myself.
One of the places I most like to be nude is Burning Man, where I co-lead a camp of BIPOC femmes in my full sensual self. I walk around in the suit that I was born in, and I get to inspire other femmes to do the same. I always enjoy looking around my camp and seeing so many melanated bodies gradually embracing the joy of being topless. It's so extremely RARE to have spaces where all being topless regardless of your gender is normalized. Those are the kinds of spaces I love to create.
It’s important to question the dominant narratives in our society. Why is it that cis male bodies get to walk around showing their chest? Yet many of us have to cover our breasts - these fascinating body parts that help nourish babies, literally ensuring the survival of our species. Why do we have to cover them? Why do we have laws that legislate how a mother can breastfeed their kids in public? These are all patriarchal policies rooted in colonial thinking and they serve to limit the expression and enjoyment of our bodies.
Similarly, there are many other parts of the body which also get highly sexualized and stigmatized. This is why I resist this colonial framework by walking around naked and free, especially in nature. It feels empowering to me.
This particular art piece is inspired by a trip to the Folsom Street Fair in 2022. I loved how many folks were wearing harnesses and leather outfits that are popular in kink and BDSM culture. I felt so lucky to live in such an open place like the Bay Area. That day, I got myself a really cute harness, and that moment inspired this work.