Chris Canales-Cisneros

02 The Family Gossip: Stages of Rectification (1/3)

"The First Fall" Part one of the triptych

“This series of wood panel paintings implements the oil pigment created from the ashes resulting from the initial body of work which was burned. I chose to do a triptych in response to the historical-artistic precedent set by Christian artwork. The structure of the triptych is frequently implemented in Christian art and architecture due to its symbolic nature; the number three is heavily associated with divinity as it corresponds to the Holy Trinity. I wanted my subject to depict a rectified narrative of queer identity in response to the misconstrued ideals portrayed in the first body of work. Meant to be read as the first in the series, this work is titled "The First Fall," drawing from the stations of the cross. It represents resignation, the desire to give up and live life in accordance with Catholic cultural standards, but as the title suggests, there is an intent to prevail. Just like the other works in the triptych, the figure has bandages in reference to chest binding, a practice used by trans-masculine individuals in an effort to make their chests appear flatter. In the piece, the bandages also appear to be falling, barely clinging to the body, in response to the defeated pose.”