Interview: Trevon Latin Questions His Impulse to Solve Problems, Navigating Loneliness, and the Idea That Everything is Drag
“Untitled (Michael)” (2021), oil on canvas and material stretched on panel. 36 inches. Picture by Jason Mandella, courtesy of the artist and Perrotin
For Trevon Latin, the very best use of questions is to breed extra questions, a tenet of his apply that he speaks to in a brand new interview supported by Colossal Members. Every quilt remnant, every barrette, every string of beads he incorporates into the work asks, What does masculinity appear like? What does it imply to current your self as a Black particular person? What does intimacy appear like? What does it imply to exist as a corporeal, analog self versus a digital self or a self mediated by a murals? For Latin, there are not any static solutions to those questions.
I feel my artwork is about common of us. I imply not common folks however folks which might be simply present in these ways in which I’m discussing. I’m speaking about queerness, efficiency, physique, Blackness. Folks out in the actual world doing (stuff) and actually making an attempt to outlive and exist. These are the folks I’m speaking to.
On this dialog with Colossal contributor Paulette Beete, Latin explains why he’s solely just lately began referring to himself as an artist, his strategy to totally feeling each emotion he encounters, and his whole-hearted perception that, to cite RuPaul, “we’re all born bare, and the remaining is drag.”
“Purple Love” (2020), oil on canvas, material, barrettes, pony beads, 5 x 4 ft. Picture courtesy of the artist and Perrotin
Do tales and artists like this matter to you? Develop into a Colossal Member in the present day and assist unbiased arts publishing for as little as $5 monthly. You will join with a group of like-minded readers who’re captivated with up to date artwork, learn articles and newsletters ad-free, maintain our interview collection, get reductions and early entry to our limited-edition print releases, and far more. Be a part of now!
