Lou Sullivan
Louis Sullivan, 1951-91, was a white American activist and writer based in San Francisco - he is largely responsible for our current Western understanding of gender and sexuality as distinct concepts. His writing and activism often centered his own life as a transgender gay man, an intersectional identity that was thought not to exist during his lifetime. Because of his identities he was denied health care. He founded and worked with many organizations (FTM international, the FTM newsletter, the GLBT Historical Society…), and he kept a very descriptive diary from age ten until his death of AIDS-related complications in 1991. His entries detail his joys, struggles with healthcare denial, relationships, and desire to create a record for trans folks in the future.
My Wayfinder starts from whatever angle you see it from first - its location in the Commons makes it visible from all angles. The “front,” or the teal side farthest from the wall, depicts Lou, Jack Bee Garland in silhouette, and some of Lou’s writing. Lou wrote a book on Garland, a fellow trans man, thereby connecting across generations. Lou’s name and writing are in mirror pen - I hope you can see yourself in the light reflected from them. The “back” is a pink/purple - this is to represent the ways in which Lou didn’t fit into typical masculine stereotypes. Look at the back from different angles and various images will appear. For me, the thing that connects me to Lou is his writing; therefore, the arm part is meant to represent the pages of a book. Gold chains represent connection, as well as Lou’s appreciation of jewelry. Finally we come to the mount on the wall - the silver creates a reflection point for the viewer.
My Wayfinder starts from whatever angle you see it from first - its location in the Commons makes it visible from all angles. The “front,” or the teal side farthest from the wall, depicts Lou, Jack Bee Garland in silhouette, and some of Lou’s writing. Lou wrote a book on Garland, a fellow trans man, thereby connecting across generations. Lou’s name and writing are in mirror pen - I hope you can see yourself in the light reflected from them. The “back” is a pink/purple - this is to represent the ways in which Lou didn’t fit into typical masculine stereotypes. Look at the back from different angles and various images will appear. For me, the thing that connects me to Lou is his writing; therefore, the arm part is meant to represent the pages of a book. Gold chains represent connection, as well as Lou’s appreciation of jewelry. Finally we come to the mount on the wall - the silver creates a reflection point for the viewer.
Letter used on "front"
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Picture of Lou holding his book on Garland
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