Al Pastries is an artist and curator who has long been part of Seattle’s Trans art spaces. A former board member of Ingersoll Gender Center and collector of artwork, Pastries founded the collective Queer Agenda Dot Gay on Capitol Hill as a way to help curate and support other Trans artists. Along with Jennifer Spector of Collective Motion, another Capitol Hill–based Trans arts collective, the Pastries has brought over 50 local Trans artists as part of the “Sweethearts: a T4T art show” kicking off on February 13, for Valentine’s Day — including a 10-foot “Saint Mosaic” by the same artist that did Hot Rat Summer.
Pastries spoke with the SGN about the upcoming show, their thoughts on supporting other Trans artists, and T4T love, artistry, and community.
Queer Agenda Dot Gay
Pastries told the SGN that their collective Queer Agenda Dot Gay had done one other event like this before. Last summer at The Factory, the group’s “t4t” show on June 12 brought together 31 local Trans artists, whose works spanned a large variety of mediums, from paintings and sculptures to glass and mosaics.
“Our collective views Trans joy as an act of revolution in itself,” Pastries explained. Attendees were greeted first by Madeline’s The Banquet, which offered roses to those who were Trans or wished to be. Pastries pointed out how roses have been an important symbol in the collective’s artwork. Rats were also mentioned as a major theme, as the show also showcased another version of the Hot Rat Summer mural, made with carpet fibers instead of glass mosaic.
Various themes of the Trans experience were put on display. June September created a set of “Gender Reassignment” cards, while Molly Vaughn’s T4T Intimacy showcased various scenes of Trans bodies and sexuality in a watercolor painting.
“I think the last show was very respectful,” Pastries said when asked how people outside of the Trans community responded to it, adding that “there were allies who showed up in good faith to love, understand, and celebrate us.”
“Sweethearts” & T4T
As for the upcoming “Sweethearts” art show and how it ties into Valentine’s Day, Pastries said that although there would indeed be some romantic themes in the artworks, the event plans to take a more all-encompassing approach to the idea of “T4T.” A statement the collectives wrote on how they view “T4T” as a philosophy says, “T4T is an emotional safety net. It’s where we feel seen in a world that wishes to erase us. It’s trans people loving one another despite the hate that’s frequently directed our way. It’s trans people centering each other, in contrast to the marginalization we face. T4T is an amplification of pure trans joy — a celebration of trans community, where we are stronger together.”
Pastries also excitedly shared their lineup of local Trans artists the show has in store: Oli Lommen Anderson Bigley, who also had work at the group’s “t4t” June show, featuring romantic Trans couples; Maria Dolores Matianzo, who does mixed media sound art; and Siobhan Teahan, who designs textiles and owns the fashion brand New Affection.
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