Not For Sale

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The LGBTQ+ community is Not For Sale. The gay community has been forced to the outskirts of society for too long. In 2021, now that it is more socially acceptable to be gay in the US, capitalist ideologies have seen our identities and deemed them marketable. Companies now make insincere campaigns appealing to the LGBTQ+ community, capitalizing on the very thing that made us have to hide in the shadows for so long. We see through this marketing stunt.

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Because of my particular interest in the intersection of art and architecture, I wanted to make an installation that depicts a rendition of the main gates of Mount Holyoke College. Painted all colors of the rainbow, the words “Not For Sale” should stand out. This is a message from the gay community of Mount Holyoke to the passerbys outside the college. Take this as a passing thought from the perspective of modern-day members of the LGBTQ+ community. We are more than just our sexual identity.

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**The above statement was written when this piece was first produced in 2021. It is now 2026, and political leanings seem to be bending backwards for the resurgence of gender roles. Brands are no longer are clearly pandering to queer audiences, because 'equity and inclusion' aren't even acceptable words anymore. They are playing the capitalistic game, and we are no longer profitable. We are being pushed back. Creating this piece, I was under the assumption that times were moving forward. Now reflecting in 2026, it seems futile. I did not realize what a symbol of hope this project was at the time, and is now a reminder of the direction our society is going in.

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Featured in:

2021, Site-specific installation, Mount Holyoke College, MA

2022, Have Some Perspective, Blanchard Gallery, MA