Faculty of Art

Photography

Zed .

Metamorphosis

My body is a place of tension between identity and perception. As a transgender person, I navigate a world that often reduces gender to a binary framework, projecting onto me an identity that feels foreign and uncomfortable. Metamorphosis is a deeply personal exploration of being transgender—an investigation into the pain of gender dysphoria—the distress between one's gender identity and their physical sex—and the hope of becoming one’s true self.Metamorphosis explores the tension between visibility and invisibility through textiles and life-size photography, highlighting the complexities within the struggle between repression and liberation. My black-and-white diptychs point out the irony of categorizing gender into two groups, reflecting that gender is not black or white and cannot be neatly labeled. These images reveal the discomfort that ignited my journey, capturing the transition from initial, unnamed distress to the realization of my identity. They depict my struggle with gender dysphoria, the beginning and end of the transformation, and the shedding of a skin that no longer fits—stepping into something unfamiliar but moving towards something closer to who I am becoming.The project reflects the slow and painful process of transformation, showcasing the difficulty of change and the strength needed to embrace authenticity. The life-size prints emphasize that transformation is real and ongoing, creating a space where the journey can be experienced and connected to.At its core, Metamorphosis is an act of resistance and self-acceptance. My work speaks to the unending journey of self-discovery, reminding us that identity is always evolving. It is not just about the body—it is about what lies beneath, what is left behind, and what is still emerging. Metamorphosis challenges preconceived notions of gender and allows for empathy, growth, and understanding, embracing the strength in finding oneself and the fluidity of identity. Metamorphosis captures transformation and challenges conventional understandings of selfhood. It explores reshaping oneself, embracing the beauty of change, and defying expectations, ultimately questioning what it means to exist beyond the binary.