Mac Barnes

Artist in The Little Things Art Exhibition

Artist Statement

Centered around the concept of a Phoenix, a nickname for T.S. growing up, this piece tells the tale of rising from the ashes. T.S. – a non-binary, black, queer, Christian person who grew up in the South and in the Christian church had to navigate coming out, southern racism, homophobia in their own church/from other people of color, learning to redefine their faith and relationships to family/friends. As their colors changed, flourishing into the vibrant hues of blue, purple, orange, and red worn proudly, not everyone’s colors changed with her. “Can’t you see colors changing things? Weren’t you supposed to do the same”? Though the bold, established, confident individual stands proud in this image, the burn-marks of others – a result of T.S. becoming themselves – are permanent. Although T.S. may have been burned in the process, they remind us that some things are worth sacrificing for true internal happiness and self-love. T.S’s story is not about teasing out “little” aspects of their identity: queerness, christianity, southern roots, etc. Instead, to see T.S. for who they are, just as you, the viewer must do with respect to each little piece of fabric, you must appreciate the sum of every “little thing” that makes them who they are. From the burned, to the bright, and everything in between.