Mixed Media on Canvas 3'x5'

I wanted to make representation for female, BIPOC and queer identities through a contemporary figurative painting. I wanted a scene, replicating my lived experiences at the skatepark and the many bodies I’ve met and interacted with. I also recognize the unrealistic scene that juxtaposes the moment in time were living in due to covid.

Trying to find spaces and communities to interact with is difficult especially for queer, BIPOC, and female-identifying trying to navigate in the world of sports. Skateboarding is a predominately white, straight, cis male-dominated sport that has a reputation for being unfriendly to female/queer POC presenting bodies. Legendary skaters frequently referenced when talking about the history of the sport are usually men. There has been a surge in female, queer, nonbinary skaters in the past decade and groups have surfaced to promote inclusivity in skateboard culture, local, scenes often lack representation. This mixed media painting uses acrylic, coloured pencils, and oil pastels, it emulates a sense of untroubled energy with the use of bright colours and movement. The imagery comes from submitted photos from multiple people I have met through skating. Looking closer it has text that is embedded in the ground and sidelines which are quoted lines from queer voices posted online, voicing concerns about the skate community. It is then when the viewer processes the social-political representation that this work embodies.