inspired by alchemical illustrations of homunculi, this work positions the transmasculine body as test subject. while my oxidized sterling silver homunculus is breaking free of the false “golden” flask that imprisons him — made with hydraulic-pressed copper shells glistening with 2015 warm flux Thompson enamel — he is disfigured and grotesque. his eyes and mouth are sewn shut, symbolizing the denial + repression of trans subjectivity in media, medicine, politics, and academia.

his body is riddled with gaping holes and tunnels, especially a cave-like vaginal entrance and hollow womb; this responds to transphobia that is centered around the genitals of trans men, from the interpersonal - such as claims of self-mutilation, correlating manhood to possessing a penis, sexual harassment, or corrective rape -to structural violence such as losing reproductive healthcare access or denial of insurance coverage for gender affirming care.

despite this grim reality, I wanted to make clear that my homunculus is escaping. his feet kick dynamically out of the flask, and he shields his sewn-shut eyes against the newly discovered sunlight. despite his blindness, he still gropes forward with his other hand, never giving up hope to find a way out.