Neuro Queering
“I’m no longer hiding in plain sight.”
I use my platform to spark conversations about Neurodiversity, the radical thought that people ought to be able to learn, process, think and communicate differently without facing discrimination. This includes persons with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, Dyslexia, Sensory Processing disorder and other neurological conditions.
I do live art streams on Instagram and GROWLr. As a queer neurodivergent storyteller, I am engaging in a process called neuroqueering.
I used to play myself to others emotions, and now I am divesting from people pleasing and making art.
Due to systematic inequality, many queer and neurodivergent people may mask as a means to fit into society. Imagine hammering a circle into a square peg, overtime you cause damage to the peg by forcing it to fit in. I am no longer hiding in plain sight. My art is intentionally disruptive, because people like me were by design created to challenge systems of inequality. It is simply illogical for me to operate in spaces that are ableist, sexist and don’t affirm who I am as an individual. My work is creative, multidisciplinary, inclusive and welcomes dialogue on categories of difference. As one who did not have much positive representation in the media of queer autistic voices of color I am being the change I would like to see.
For more about intersectionality please take time to learn about Kimberlé Crenshaw’s work.
Acrylic and yarn on particle board.
Love is complex, not straightforward like the romantic comedies. We bring our own relationship orientations, baggage, values and flaws to the table. As Dossie Easton states, we relate where we intersect, where we share complimentary scripts. Love requires that we accept all, even if we love from a distance.
SNKR GOD
Acrylic, shoe strings on mannequin.
Inspired by ADIDAS #IMPOSSIBLEISNOTHING campaign and the song Mannequin off the Britney Spears Circus Album.
When I started painting live on GROWLr under the alias Neurodivergent Painter, another streamer started calling me Neuro. I was told how me being out and sparking conversations was going to make others feel less alone in their experience. This totally happened as I engaged with other members online. People often ask me what neurodiversity is and I have told hundreds of people online via social media. Being out allows for us to embrace our differences and helps neurotypical people as well. Although math is not my strong suit, a math professor taught me there is more than one way to solve an equation. My art is pro-queer, pro-black, pro-sex worker and kink friendly. Don’t yuck my yum and I won’t yuck yours.
(*disclaimer: ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and misogynoir will not be tolerated on my platforms.
Acrylic on Canvas
It is okay to be emotionally unavailable, to choose your level of engagement or reject the idea that traditional relationship hierarchies are for everyone.
Let’s normalize other forms of intimacy: plutonic cuddling, mentorship, long phone conversations, nerding our about mutual enjoyed interest and acts of service.
Above all let’s prioritize self love and give ourselves permission to ask for what we want. If someone isn’t a match, we can let them go to give them the opportunity to pursue what works best them.
Acrylic on particle board.
I have had to check my privilege and ableism recently. We simply cannot be well all the time. Sometimes we can fall ill for a day, a month or a season. It does not make us less worthy of love.
It is common for people to take breaks from work, social life and the things we used to do to focus on self-care. Let’s make it ok.
https://www.makeitok.org
Anxiety
Acrylic on Wood
Anxiety can be crippling. I occasionally have “fishes” in my belly that rage war with one another. It was the worst during my days in college, I was a chronic pain sufferer and the symptoms subsided when I returned home to spaces that were familiar, when I reduced my work hours and had a stable support system where I could visit friends/family. The stomach pain affected all areas of my life: social, professional and my ability to perform basic functions.