The month of June is a time to celebrate LGBTQ communities. It’s a moment to reflect on the rich history and culture of the queer community, as well as more recent advances made in the realm of civil liberties. This year, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many queer individuals are navigating greater risks to their health, safety, and livelihoods.
Cognizant of the need to stay connected and elevate queer voices amid uncertainty, Hyperallergic is commemorating Pride Month by featuring one queer art worker per day on our website and asking them to reflect on what this time means to them. If you identify as a queer art worker, we’d love to hear from you. Click here to learn more about how to participate.
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What’s your name?
Chase DuBose
Where are you based currently?
Minnesota
Describe who you are and what you do.
I am currently a student, but mainly an audio sculpture artist, however in the current times I find it difficult to work in the medium I love. I spend the majority of my time these days working on my website or editing photos. I have also switched to more pen and paper planning projects, as opposed to when I’d go to the studio and simply begin construction not knowing what I was gonna create ’til the end of the day.
Tell us about your greatest achievement or something you’ve done lately that you’re proud of.
Something I have done lately that I am proud of… I graduated university with a BA in Art!! I’m really proud of that.
Favorite ways to celebrate your queerness and community?
Just hanging out with my friends is enough. Celebrating ourselves is the best type of motivation. I also have plans for a large scale sculpture about the queer community and society’s perception of us.
What’s been top of mind for you lately?
If I can truly make it as an artist — as an audio sculpture artist to boot. People need to be there physically to experience my work otherwise the point doesn’t come across as smoothly. I really hope there is a place for me since the current climate has us going digital more and more.
Talk to us about your immediate queer community/support systems. (Feel free to shout out other folks or organizations you think are doing important work.)
Well my friends and I started a LGBTQ+ group at my university called Prism only 2 years ago. I still talk to the faculty leader for his advice. My friend and family are great supporters along with just a nice call to the Trevor project does wonders.
How are you celebrating Pride Month this time around?
I might just have a small dance party by myself, and call all my queer friends and tell them I love them and appreciate them being in my life.
Are there ways you think queer artists and art workers could be better supported?
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Perhaps by being more accepting of [different art practices]. Just because an artist is queer does not mean their work must revolve around the queer community. There are many aspects to a person’s life that can influence the direction of their work.
In the communities that you’re part of, what are you hoping to see shift in the future?
I mentioned this before but accepting that just ’cause an artist is one thing, such as mixed, Asian, or queer does not mean they are required to make work centered around that part of their life.
What’s the first thing you’re planning to do when it feels safer to physically gather again?
Hug my friends. I am not a big hugger.
Enjoying this series? Check out other entries here.
Source: Hyperallergic.com