Artist Reception: Catherine Graffam - Trans Pose

McGowan Fine Art announces the opening of “Trans Pose” featuring the paintings of Catherine Graffam. The show will run from March 22 to April 22, with a reception on March 25 from 5 to 7 PM. This is free and open to the public.

Catherine is a recent graduate from the New Hampshire Institute of Art‘s painting program. Her graduate thesis focused on imagery depicting her transition as a male to female transgender person. A theme which she carries through to her most recent work. Classical composition and brushwork link her paintings to a more traditional school while she explores contemporary themes.

Transgender women are often the subject of prejudice and violence and lead shorter lives due to suicide and the hormones they take to facilitate their transition. Trans Pose is portraits of male to female transgenders exploring their unique experiences. “The models, whom I only have contact with online, are in charge of the photographs I work from. I want them to have agency over their image and how they will be portrayed, since trans women are usually not given agency over our identity and experiences,” says Catherine.

In “Portrait of Sara Woods” the sitter chooses a full frontal gaze to engage the viewer with a tentative, haunted expression. It both acknowledges and, somehow rebuffs judging eyes. “Sara” sits upright wearing a somber, black top and a classic up do with a few loose ringlets portrayed in an array of curvilinear strokes. The sitter embodies strength in feminity while still exuding vulnerability. A somber palette, including grey background and the sitter’s pale features, lends gravitas and a classic air to the portrait.

In “Portrait of Merritt Kopas” the sitter frequently uses her phone to take over-exposed selfies. The harsh lighting flattens out the sitter and highlights her dramatic eye makeup creating a mask-like effect. Her averted gaze heightens the sense of masking or hiding. Her lips are posed as if ready to say something, something that will be left unsaid.

Like many artists Ms. Graffam makes us take a second look at something we thought we knew or understood. Her fluid and open brushwork brings beauty to a topic many prefer to ignore. This array of beautiful portraits make the viewer take a second look and reconsider what we thought we knew about the other, whatever that other might be.

This exhibit will be on display at McGowan Fine Art, 10 Hills Avenue, Concord, NH. Hours are Tuesday to Friday, 10 to 6 PM; Saturday 10-2 or by appointment. Please email or
call Sarah Chaffee at 603-225-2515, for more information or visit our website at http://www.mcgowanfineart.com.