Drew Riley
Riley conceived the Gender Portraits series in 2013 while working on a self-portrait, Adolescence. Creating that portrait was the first time Riley had painted her true self, and seeing it completed was a profoundly emotional experience for her. Upon finishing, she decided that she would continue to paint other people like herself and tell their stories through art. Riley was driven to create something that did not exist when she was growing up in hopes to help others have an easier time finding themselves.
About the Artist
Drew Riley is a transgender woman who creates the paintings and written stories that make up the Gender Portraits series. Riley was classically trained at the Gemini School of Visual Arts where she graduated with distinction in 2008. For five years, she was a concept artist and illustrator for video games, movies, and animated films until she started working on the Gender Portraits project full-time in 2014.
Gender Portraits is a non-profit project of the Austin Creative Alliance that advocates for sex and gender minorities through art. Artist Drew Riley documents trans, intersex and gender nonconforming people through a series that pairs portraits of real people with their personal stories. Designed to start complex conversations about the gender spectrum and advocate for people with sexed bodies, gender identities, and gender expressions that exist outside of societal norms.
Website: https://www.genderportraits.com
Instagram: @GenderPortraits