 shows a performance made during the first covid lockdown in which trans surgeries were cancelled and waiting times extended. 

As the title implies, this wait is so unbearable that it is needed for the situation to be taken into one's own hands, to carve the body oneself. As the sculptor, Bowler alternates violent attacks on his chest, with caresses and subtle markings, breaking and reforming his body.

Fine I'll do it Myself 

A portrait of trans non-binary artist Fleur Bloemsma, short film 

takes an introspective journey into their understanding and experience of their own body, and the meanders of their mind. Directed by French filmmaker and photographer Mélodie Roulaud, the film interrogates the language used to communicate the body, the self and their representation, through the interconnectedness of physical attributes and bodily experiences with matters of identity.

Fragments

There are no more walls, things are not repetitive, my body is not a vessel, I am no longer suffocated. I breathe, I look, I touch myself, I find myself, I sit, he accompanies me. He accompanies me in my steps, with his hands he washes my face after feeling that pain that is no longer there, he is here with me, we feel each other, we touch each other, we transform each other. I am not alone, my mantra changes, I no longer have nightmares, now I inhabit myself.

Ya no hay paredes, las cosas no son repetitivas, mi cuerpo no es una vasija, ya no estoy asfixiado. Respiro, miro, me toco, me encuentro, me siento, me acompaña. Me acompaña en mis pasos, con sus manos me lava la cara después de sentir ese dolor que ya no está, está acá conmigo, nos sentimos, nos tocamos, nos transformamos. No estoy solo, mi mantra cambia, ya no tengo pesadillas, ahora me habito.

HABITÁNDOME

Lou Sullivan discusses his mastectomy. Researched clips from: "Female to Gay Male Transsexualism: I-Gender & Sexual Orientation". 

Lou Sullivan: On His Top Surgery 

This is the culmination of a five-year durational performance around the subject of top surgery, which began with Bowler shaving his head after first going to his GP to ask to be referred to an NHS gender identity clinic. 

He grew his hair since that first appointment to visually depict the wait it takes to get surgery within UK healthcare. This filmed performance marks the end of Bowler’s wait: four years, nine months and three days.

Claye uses a surgical scalpel, the same kind as the one used in the surgery, to methodically cut off his hair whilst an audio of the questions asked within the GIC is played into the room.

Performed by & Audio composition - Claye Bowler 

Audio text - Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health Voice

Acting -August A.Jess Virtua, Persie Rolley- Parnell, Shep Cameron 

Commissioned by Yorkshire Sculpture International

Measured Transition 2016-2021

When Jude ends up unexpectedly living at home in their 30s, they must deal with a lovingly opinionated Jewish mother who doesn't quite get the whole trans thing.

Monsieur Le Butch

Kathy Acker's writing, and a seminal portrait of her taken by intersex photographer Del LaGrace Volcano, provide a lens through which to explore trans subjectivity and the queering of cinema. Pol Merchan's hybrid doc fluidly moves from the documentation of the punk era to a more performative exploration of gender.

PIRATE BOYS

 examines experiences of racism and sexism today, through the eyes of 3 trans men of colour.

Passing

 is a true glimpse into my continuous mental processing. A dialog which tends to reflect and deflect a generalized public perspective that is designed to dictate humanity.

Diamond’s grainy experimental film is the first in a series that tackles issues of sexuality with a fearless approach. Navigating the psychological manifestations of a hybrid gender identity, Diamond explores issues of body and mind capturing the complex nature of his topic.

The sequel to Man from Venus by James Diamond (super 8, 4 min, 1998). She's an answer without a question and he a question without answer. A sustainable foreground emerges only when they forge paths. A motion portrait where opposites distract and the peripheral rule is born.

The Man From Venus 

"I wanted to make a film that highlights the joy of reclaiming your trans body." Collaborating with their friend Rowyn Judd and fellow creative Fox Fisher, we shot the pre-op video on the evening before his top surgery.


Looking back, the choreography was stiff and my mind was ultra-focused. Only 4 months later we shot the same video, here I see myself opening up with more expressive, fluid movement as I was finally comfortable with myself. I wanted to show how good it feels to grow into yourself, recognising yourself as a work in progress. I hope Fox and I can inspire others by showing this vulnerability.

Walking Progress

A deeply personal narrative, formed out of the protogonist own experience as a transgender individual. Intimate moments were captured, as a way of letting people enter a personal diary.


Adapted to André's story, we used written work by Chella Man,
a deaf trans activist. 

What Makes A Man 

I made this video just after my top surgery and it was the first time I had taken off my compression vest for that amount of time, with my collaborator who is currently raising funds for their top surgery. 

 was the last thing I made under that name and touches on the feelings and life of being trans masc.

You See Me

Footage of Elijah's top surgery with audio of a trip north with his late Dad.

Categories

Top Surgery