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“Menace II” is a repaint of an earlier piece of mine titled “Menace.” It depicts a bouquet of historically queer flowers, comprising of a violet, trillium flower, pansy, green carnation, rose, orchid, lavender, and Lilium speciosum. Each flower has roots in historical movements and works of the queer community. The poet Sappho used violets in her poetry, and over time they became associated with the lesbian community. Trillium flowers, with their three petals, became symbols of bisexuality. Lavender has roots in several aspects of queer history, including the “lavender scare” and “lavender marriages.” Lilium speciosum originates from its use in Japanese yuri and serves as another symbol of lesbianism. The green carnation originates with Oscar Wilde, who wore one in his lapel and encouraged other gay men in his circles to wear them as code to one another. Roses are often used to symbolize the trans community. The association comes from the “Trans Day of Remembrance” and comes from the phrase “give us our roses while we are still here.” Orchids represent the intersex community, specifically for those with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). the Greek word "orkhis” translates to “testicle” and is where we get the term “orchiectomy” (removal of the testes). Orchiectomies are frequently performed without consent on intersex people, and the orchid flower serves as a representation of reclamation of bodily autonomy and pride in the intersex community.
“Menace II” is a repaint of an earlier piece of mine titled “Menace.” It depicts a bouquet of historically queer flowers, comprising of a violet, trillium flower, pansy, green carnation, rose, orchid, lavender, and Lilium speciosum. Each flower has roots in historical movements and works of the queer community. The poet Sappho used violets in her poetry, and over time they became associated with the lesbian community. Trillium flowers, with their three petals, became symbols of bisexuality. Lavender has roots in several aspects of queer history, including the “lavender scare” and “lavender marriages.” Lilium speciosum originates from its use in Japanese yuri and serves as another symbol of lesbianism. The green carnation originates with Oscar Wilde, who wore one in his lapel and encouraged other gay men in his circles to wear them as code to one another. Roses are often used to symbolize the trans community. The association comes from the “Trans Day of Remembrance” and comes from the phrase “give us our roses while we are still here.” Orchids represent the intersex community, specifically for those with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS). the Greek word "orkhis” translates to “testicle” and is where we get the term “orchiectomy” (removal of the testes). Orchiectomies are frequently performed without consent on intersex people, and the orchid flower serves as a representation of reclamation of bodily autonomy and pride in the intersex community.