Exploring gender queerness and transmasculinity, Phantom Feels was inspired by Lio’s recent top surgery
BY ELEANOR NOYCE, IMAGES BY KOBE WAGSTAFF
Inspired by writer and actor Lio Mehiel’s top surgery, multidisciplinary artist Holy Silius has crafted a new series of stone body sculptures. Entitled Phantom Feels, the collection explores gender queerness and transmasculinity, with its title referring to the “phantom” feeling of breasts post-top surgery.
Based between the UK and LA, Holly’s work explores human form through body cast stone sculptures and wearable body jewellery. The exhibition’s profits will be donated to The Sylvia Rivera Law Project, an organisation working towards LGBTQI emancipation through ensuring that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression irrespective of income or race.
Having featured in LGBTQI hits Tales of the City and Disforia, Lio Mehiel platforms the trans experience in their work. Identifying as non-binary, Lio employs surrealist and movement-based performance to explore trans identity and its tensions.
Of Phantom Feels, Holly states: “I was interested in understanding the way bodies are represented in a sculptural way. Figurative sculptures are historically gender normative, and I believe all bodies should be represented in stone. I wanted to share this as I think it’s beautiful and bold. I wondered how it felt and knew about the phantom limb feelings. I wanted to share a tangible piece for the viewer’s mind to wander and feel something”.
To find out more about the collection, visit Holly’s website.
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