States of Union

Throughout its history, portraiture has been used to memorialize the family lineage and honor family patriarchs and matriarchs. However, these visual depictions have focused almost exclusively on the heterosexual family unit. While, heterosexual families have a pronounced and illustrated legacy, gay families have almost no history of depiction.

The final years of the 20th century and early years of the 21st have witnessed a determined challenge to, and potential redefinition of the traditional definition of “family.” The shift has been a source of heated debate: on the national level in the mainstream media and federal and state political chambers; on the local level in churches, synagogues, mosques and schools; in the personal arena between peers, coworkers, around the dinner table, and between parents and children. Given this cultural zeitgeist, the project aims to create a visual record depicting gay and lesbian couples and families and thereby constructively contributing to the current debate.



Each portrait uses visual devices and plays off themes commonly used throughout the history of portraiture. In employing this pictorial language my aim is threefold: First, by drawing upon classical images, the tropes used to promote heterosexual family units can be re-appropriated and reinvented to serve a more expanded view of family. Second, this technique will draw upon the skill of the viewer to look below the surface of the image. And third, in so doing, the viewer will quickly recognize something familiar about the image and will, consequently, feel a kinship with these families that might otherwise look and feel unrecognizable.