Jake in Transition from Female to Male by Clarissa Sligh
Clarissa Sligh worked with Jake for over four years to document his transition from female to male. In the exhibition catalog she writes, “At the time Jake asked me to photograph his sex change from female to male, in 1996, her name was Deb. Although the act had its own value and meaning, it was not my issue and I was wary of the ethical and political violence inherent in 'speaking for others.'
"I did not realize the complexity or intensity of the process when I started. And throughout the process I felt conflicted in my role as a documentary photographer. Although the bodily mutilation through surgery and hormones seem fairly gruesome, these things in themselves do not provide the biggest challenges for me. As I observe and support Jake in his changes so that his body can pass as a white man, I cannot help but think about the fact that I will never be able to change my brown skin to escape the layer of oppression one exeperiences from being black in America."
–Clarissa Sligh
44 frames; 160 running feet; 1 video; rental fee is $2,500
Please contact Tate Shaw to inquire about this or other traveling exhibitions, (585) 442-8676 or email tateshaw@vsw.org
Also Available
John Wood: On the Edge of Clear Meaning
Mark Klett: Selected Landscapes
Joan Lyons: Representations
Ralph Eugene Meatyard (1925-1972)
Ryan Weideman: In My Taxi
