Samuel Luke Beatty

Forged in Trans Magic consists of a collection of quilted wall-hangings that celebrates transgender masculinity, showcasing important gender affirming milestones associated with my own gender transition. The works draw parallels between transformative elements of magic and my gender transition, using symbols and play on words to connect these experiences of transition and transformation.

My quilts reference the design of medieval illuminated manuscripts and iconography to offer a form of comfort and escapism for other trans people undergoing their own gender transition. Magic and fantasy are often a comfort for many trans and queer people, including myself, where we can create or discover ourselves in a place without limitations.

I have chosen to narrate these trans stories through the textile medium of quilting, using repurposed materials of bedsheets and clothing to offer an additional sense of comfort.
Quilts have a history of being created and used as items of comfort, often piecing together one’s personal narrative and identity. While representations of transgender identities are often centered around the struggles of transitioning, my work combines these two elements to comfort other trans and queer people, helping them to see positive futures of their own.

Each quilt depicts recognisable symbols and items associated with my transition such as a chest binder, testosterone vials, roman numerals signifying important transition dates (starting hormones, undergoing top surgery), and Polaroids of visible changes from hormone therapy.

The three large quilts are each accompanied by smaller matching quilts made from offcuts of the larger quilts. They share the same fabrics, iconography, and trans magic; making them what I call ‘Sibling Quilts’ to each other.

As an artist who creates work for both the trans and wider queer community, I want other transgender and queer people to recongise parts of their own transition in my work and take pride in knowing trans people are magic and deserve to be celebrated.