Taken as a direct quote from the book, Julian is a Mermaid, a children’s story of queer acceptance by Jessica Love, this piece reflects on the intricacies of parenting under cis-het-patriarchy while being an artist.

The name states baldly, that despite dedicating myself to art practice and research concepts, I can also often be found (at my children’s behest) in imaginal realms. I make work, but i am also a mermaid (or a cat, or a baby, or a builder).

The forms overwhelm the wall yet move playfully across it. Despite drowning in domestic duties, I am also enlivened and enriched by being a parent. Our life is a sea of chaos, but i am also a mermaid, at home in these choices.

Cast in milk- and water-based concrete from empty baby wipe packets, the piece asserts that despite receiving/performing normative shapes, there can still be disruption. In the original story, Julian’s desire to dress as a mermaid is affirmed by his nana, in my case I am nonbinary/ace but cis-het-passing, and appear to inhabit a gender-normative role, the piece affirms for me that however I am perceived, I know i am also a mermaid.