T-shirt, I Am

Jason King is a First Nations artist, a proud Gumbaynggirr man, currently residing on Bundjalung Country (New South Wales).

The centre of this artwork represents the path that an Indigenous Transgender person (Sista Girl or Brotha Boy) travels in their journey to be, or become, their true self. Fingerprints symbolise identity – it does not matter how others see me; I will always be this person.

The colourful spirals represent the cross-section of a banana plant, which produce both male and female flowers on a single plant. As banana plants only fruit once, they are cut down after fruiting which then encourages new growth. This is similar to setting our past free, to move on and grow. The outer sections of the artwork represent the Indigenous Transgender person and their connection to Community - being supported and accepted within their Indigenous culture and being part of the LGBTIQ+SB communities far and wide. As this support grows and becomes more visible to the broader population, it is hoped that acceptance amongst the public is also improved. Blue & green reflects nature – the rivers and oceans, and the rainforests, trees, and plants – symbolising that we are all connected, and we are all a part of nature.

The inclusion of Hibiscus flowers is an acknowledgement to my Melanesian heritage, but also because Hibiscus flowers are also known in nature as a ‘perfect flower, having both male and female parts.