Stew: Rewriting Visibility & Representation explores and reconceptualizes the narratives surrounding gender and sexual minorities, serving as the visual interpretation of my thesis.
The exhibition placed a significant emphasis on the queer female experience, stemming from my personal insights and society’s persistent disregard for and exploitation of the sapphically inclined.
My reconception led me to the roots of streetwear and lesbian bars.
Stew harnesses streetwear’s history of identity, community, and culture to reclaim authenticity, expression and community for queer women.
For the past three decades, lesbian bars have been on a steady decline from their peak in the 1980s. To underscore the dwindling of designated lesbian spaces, this exhibition introduces Edythe & Lisa’s Sapphic Oyster and Cocktail Bar, an ironic and contemporary concept.
Society’s comprehension of heteronormativity should extend beyond merely acknowledging heterosexuality as the prevailing norm; it is deeply entrenched within our institutions and cultures, creating significant barriers to genuine gender and sexual liberation. With intellect and humor, this exhibition challenges the heteronormative nature of our society.
Stew
MFA Thesis Exhibition
stew
a combination of simmering meat and vegetables that make a hearty and flavorful dish
a state of great anxiety or agitation
to remain in a heated, stifling atmosphere
to suffer silently or to brood over one’s feelings, typically alone
the prolonged brewing of tea resulting in a strong and bitter taste to be steeped in or imbued with
For the past three decades, lesbian bars have been on a steady decline from their peak in the 1980s. To underscore the dwindling of designated lesbian spaces, my thesis introduces Edythe & Lisa’s Sapphic Oyster and Cocktail Bar, an ironic and contemporary concept.
Edythe & Lisa’s was born from a rich lesbian history:
In 1947, Edythe Eyde put her ideas down on carbon paper with her office typewriter, producing the first lesbian publication. She produced nine editions of Vice Versa, distributing them to friends who passed them on.
Eyde used the pen name Lisa Ben, a pseudonym for lesbian, as a contributing author for various publications such as The Ladder.
Edythe & Lisa’s
MFA Thesis Exhibition
For All?
For All? is a saddle stitch zine inspired by my MFA thesis paper on gender and sexual liberation. The zine contains the main themes of my paper to provide context for thesis exhibition attendees.
The paper was reimagined as a zine to honor counterculture movements and their utilization of zines and newsletters as a means of community and education.
Printed on: Mohawk Paper Warm White 70T 104 GSM Essentials Cardstock 65lb 176 GSM 8.5 x 5.5 in
MFA Thesis Exhibition
Thesis Exhibition Book
