2012-2024 © (8 Minutes & 30 Seconds)
The Yellow Wallpaper is a piece of literature that seems to linger in my academic journey. Encountered in high school, college and graduate school, its haunting narrative left a lasting impact. In 2012, I was at the start of my transition journey from female to more masculine, I began working on an adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper. I was not aware at the time but this project held a special significance in my life. In 2024, I revisited the film through a form of collaboration with my past female self. This approach allowed for the blend of different physicalities and insights, creating a rich tapestry of trans storytelling over twelve years. The process of adapting such a poignant and introspective piece of literature provided a creative outlet for expressing and navigating the complex experiences associated with transition. Viewing conniption through my own lens of multiple years, I see it as a fugue capable of being played in both directions.
Premier Status: Unspeakable Truths INTERNATIONAL SOLO EXHIBITION, Le Lieu, (The Place) The Contemporary Art Center, Québec, Canada, 2013
Director's Note
By all accounts, The Yellow Wallpaper has made a mark on history. History is a tapestry of complex individuals who have left behind legacies both inspiring and troubling. I think it is important that we reckon with that. Not every influential figure deserves to be put on a pedestal including women and LGBTQ people. Despite her flaws and destructive tendencies, Gillman’s Yellow Wallpaper continues to influence new generations of LGBTQ creators. When we label “Gilman'' as “bad,” we risk oversimplifying her true complexity. She becomes a villain and we neglect the nuances of her true nature. This by default erases important nuances of her character, such as her history of xenophobia, racism and ableism. This negation shuts the conversation down and we potentially miss the opportunity to acknowledge and confront the deeper layers of our own beliefs.