MFA Thesis Exhibition - University of Colorado Boulder

Camouflaged Bodies: Neon Tendencies

My art practice investigates how humankind has disrupted and intervened in ecosystems across North America. With specific insight into the U.S. hunting industry, I research how marginalized groups such as Queer people are likewise intervening and disrupting heteronormative, white male-dominated spaces. Through my Queer identity and experiences in the hunting community, I aim to highlight the “Queer Hunter.” Such pockets within the Queer community bring niche and underrepresented people together; my practice aims to elevate this group.  

This thesis exhibition centers on my journey navigating and reassessing my Queer experience within the context of my hunting story. By creating three distinct structures from hunting expeditions in Texas, I delve into themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. I challenge prevailing norms and foster a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness between hunters and environment, tradition and innovation, ultimately reshaping the discourse around hunting practices in modern society. Camouflaged Bodies: Neon Tendencies is a platform for me to reflect on my life as a Queer man through the distinctive lens of the hunt. 

The Deer Blind

To myself and my family, building the deer blind together was always a valuable time for us. The deer blind has a deep and rooted history in my family and in hunting practices that have occurred for centuries worldwide. I learned how to build the deer blind using knowledge passed down through generations of Nortons.

This reimagined deer blind retains the essence of its traditional construction but is unmistakably Queer in its internal conceptual transformation. It stands as a testament to the evolution of my identity and my reclamation of the hunting space. The infusion of neon orange serves as a Queer beacon, calling upon the Queer Hanky code. It casts a glow on the interior of the deer blind, transcending the deer blind’s conventional role thus Queering the space.

The Tree Stand - 2024

During my formative years, the tree stand emerged as my preferred hunting method, serving as a conduit for self-discovery and as a catalyst for profound Queer awakening. I was the sole member of my family who ventured to the tree stand, and it became my sanctuary, a place entirely my own, divorced from the external world. In the solitude of that stand, I spent hours in contemplation, musing about life's intricate questions and, ultimately, my own identity as a Queer man.

Typically concealed by the tree's branches, I have chosen to expose the tree stand, turning it into a focal point. I am sharing my narrative by revealing a secretive space with the audience, shedding light on the part of myself that I once kept hidden. Orange grease covers the entirety of the tree upon which the tree stand is perched, making the space unobtainable and serving as a barrier that prevents others below from accessing the chair above.

Though I have exposed my Queerness in this way, it is still my sanctuary.

The Deer Feeder - 2024

The deer feeder is at the heart of these two hunting structures, often leaving people pondering its purpose and significance. The feeder emerges as a focal point, poised to evoke wonder and curiosity. This device lures deer, and serves as a magnet for intrigue, asking viewers to consider how this object connects to my Queer story and my relation to hunting.

Beneath the deer feeder lies a scattering of corn, a familiar tactic used to attract deer. This deliberate placement invites visitors to examine the corn strewn across the concrete floor. This act calls forth memories of the feeding of deer practiced year-round in my familial hunting grounds. By initiating this action in the museum, the deer feeder initiates the ritual of luring, symbolizing the continuity of hunting practices across different spaces and contexts.

The feeder, emanating neon orange, assumes a profound significance as it symbolizes Queerness within the realm of hunting. This vibrant hue serves as a signal that draws attention to the intersection of Queer identity and the hunting landscape encapsulated within the confines of the museum space. The illuminating glow from the feeder's interior symbolizes the anticipation and promise inherent with Queerness in hunting. It is a beacon, gesturing to what lies ahead in the field—a realm where nature's unpredictability converges with human emotion and influence.