jaggedartstudios    Jeff Gibson
Nova Scotia Painter                                            Lunenburg Nova Scotia Canada

“Unzip your pride, Marsha P. Johnson (working title)

acrylic, mix media on canvas

24" x 36"

 

Transgendered African American Activist

 

Malcolm Michaels Jr, as a tennager would transform from male to female while on a train into New York in early 1960’s. Survival in New York was difficult, particularly if you were black, queer, and transgendered a triple whammy. To earn money she would panhandled on roller skates in full drag. Reclaim her identity, first as “Black Marsha”, and then eventually as Marshs P. (pay it no mind) Johnson. A pioneering spirit one first to champion the rights of transgendered people.

The Stonewall riots, a spontaneous, violent clash of wills that happened on June 28th,1969. The spark that ignited the world, forever changing our perceptions. Marsha P. Johnson was there, memorably present at the riots, climbing up a lamppost and dropping a  heavy stone on the windshield of a police car shattering it. “The Lavender menace is now upon us,” warned one columnist, as the crowds demonstrated up and down Christopher Street for several days.

 

Along with co-founder Sylvia Rivera, started one of the first transgendered rights organizations

S.T.A.R. that gave support for young trans women who needed food shelter and clothing.

Unzip your pride is an interactive piece allowing the viewer to reconnect with the riot, put themselves in the picture and walk in someone else’s heels. A series of portraits portraying various drag queens and other influential people who were instrumental in igniting the rebellion. Drag queens chanting, “We are stonewall girls, we put our hair in curl,” as the crowds sang Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay. Marsha P. Johnson a larger than life personality, flamboyant, spirited, paranoid and religious was important humanitarian who gave more than she received. This piece pays homage to her memory.