Acrylic on linen, ready to hang.
Signed on the front.
This artwork comes with an external frame
Brisbane student of Bio Medical Research (Fertility and Embryology) Cael Kilham introduces their identity — Human — into current discourse on gender diversity. Cael also proffers supporting testimony, in a many-sexed bouquet of Australian native flowers. These strange and surprising structures, the sexual organs of plants, are indisputably considered beautiful whether unisexual, male, female, entire, imperfect, or otherwise. Widespread acceptance of all humans regardless of their gender or sexuality lags sadly behind these recognised biological realities.
A parent through IVF and a trailblazer in the introduction of non-binary language into their university’s communications, Cael intends their career trajectory to include the development of thoughtful support so that non-binary, trans and gender diverse humans in Brisbane may successfully access appropriate reproductive technologies.
This painted comment on gender inclusivity required vulnerability and great trust between myself and my subject. Cael’s quietly accusatory stare as they forcefully thrust this bouquet at the viewer reminds us of our human responsibility to carry some weight in this crucial new conversation; to witness, support, and to accept the truths of “other”.
I chose the kangaroo paw and native pea flowers depicted for their beauty, their similarity in shape to human sexual organs and their widely varying reproductive functions. The purple, yellow, black and white colours of the non-binary flag underpin this portrait. Woven subtly through the bouquet is the word “human”, the one word to safely encompass all of humanity, whomever they inform us they are.