Artist Statement: Visible Monstrosity as Empowerment

“Visible Monstrosity as Empowerment” asks, How can we own the transgender imaginary? Anthony Clair Wagner uses the figure of the monster in their art to reflect the stigmatization of monsterized others, specifically transsexuals. Wagner proposes that refusing hegemonic shame and boundaries through embracing the stigmatizing figure of the monster helps deconstruct the violent hegemonic imaginary. They call for monstrous visibility. In this artist statement Wagner explains the importance of the appropriation of the figure of the monster in their art as a tool for empowerment.