Coffee Chats feature leaders in the creative community sharing their personal and professional experiences to inspire others to pursue careers in art.
Xavier Schipani identifies as a transman/artist. "Much of my practice is dedicated to articulating what that means to me and how I present myself to the world. I started my transition in 2013 and my journey has provided me with insight not only into myself but the construct of gender and the roles that we play in identifying. My figurative work addresses the trans-male nude and it's lack of representation historically and currently in art and culture. Using my personal as political, I tie much of my practice to social justice movements because I think they play an integral role in inspiring each other to create change. I use installation, painting, public murals, and printmaking together and separately to express these thoughts and feelings. I am currently exploring sexuality, identity, and the underrepresented transmasculinity within gay male culture/mainstream culture in my painting practice.
My work asks “what makes a man?” better yet “what makes a trans man?” thus creating an observable history of a new identity. I like to think that we are all in transition thus chasing our desire and that labels only impede our progress. Pleasure and sexuality are important themes of my work, seeking to create positive energy surrounding bodies often in turmoil. The large scale of my work is intentional and references the “monumental” loss we have experienced by not representing queer identities historically. It seeks to construct safe spaces for people to openly view and discuss the relationship and curiosity that surrounds them. I use my work to create dialogues that I hope are helpful not only in offering visibility for trans bodies but contribute to the advancement of society’s role in celebrating them."
