When I went to speak with Zoe Perry-Wood at the artist talk for I/Q: Identity Queer at the Simmons School of Social Work, I wasn’t bowled over by the huge attendance (it was Thanksgiving week so attendance was sparse) but what did completely floor me was what I found on the bulletin board soliciting comments on the show.
A typed poem on a white piece of paper with hand-written words on top: “In response to photo #2 on the left” (my photo Birthday Girl).
Click this image if you’d like to enlarge it:
First, I was fascinated that the context of the work led someone to assume a trans narrative in the work—- funny enough but no one has ever told me about reading the work that way. Second, I don’t think I ever thought my work would inspire anyone to, completely unsolicited, spend the time and effort to write a poem. I definitely didn’t expect that. I’m used to people liking the work or thinking it’s funny. So strange to feel like it has affected at least a few more deeply. I’m grateful to have an opportunity to do that.
