02/24/2026
When I was 7, I told my parents I wanted to be an artist. Just what every immigrant parent wants to hear—after their many sacrifices, their eldest child wants to have a career renowned for making very little money.
After years of drawing, painting and writing, I picked up a camera at 13. I never put it down.
To be here now, 22 years later, launching my first solo show, feels a lot like arriving. In so many ways, it’s like I’ve finally arrived home to myself. And there’s a lot that has contributed to that, but one of the most critical factors? Being connected to a community in which I feel seen, safe, and ultimately, loved. I can take up space, and I feel affirmed because I see others like me who are doing the same.
When I initially came up with DICHOTOMY, I questioned if it would really mean anything to anyone else. But then, on opening night, a woman named Joan (then unknown to me) sought me out and said, “I have a relative, a teen girl, who is transitioning, and I was wondering if I could take a photo of your work to show her, because I think it would really make a difference”.
It was then that I knew that it had. Over 100 of you showed up on opening night. Hundreds more reached out from around the world. I cannot thank you enough—it means so much to me, and to the people in this series.
All my life, I have sought to create work for the greater good. It has never been enough to just take beautiful pictures. I am proud to have produced a body of work that has made a positive impact to my community, and beyond. This series took 3 years. Needless to say, it’s been worth it to see this through. It seems like this is going to have a life beyond this one weekend—so stay tuned for what’s to come.
I created DICHOTOMY for all the others—for those of us judged on appearance, race or gender. For those under-represented. For those of us who, in 62 countries, still cannot love freely without fear.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s to keep showing up—for yourself, and for others.
It won’t be easy. Not everybody will like it.
Do it anyway.
