Tropical Contemporary and Trans*Ponder are pleased to be working together on our inaugural Transformation Residency Program this Summer of 2020. This opportunity is for Transgender and Gender Diverse Artists who reside in the state of Oregon. Selected artists have access to work in Tropical Contemporary’s gallery and studio space, a 1,000 sq ft converted warehouse located in the industrial area of west Eugene, Oregon. The Transformation Residency Program aims to lessen the social, political, and economic barriers to artistic creation. The residency is free of cost and financial sponsorship is provided based on project needs and viability.
Due to COVID-19, we have made necessary adjustments to support the safety of our residents, our larger community, and each other. After working through a variety of options with our three residents, including postponing their residency period to next summer, we have decided together to go forth with our residency programming as scheduled.
This summer, each resident will have sole access to our warehouse and woodshop during their month of residence, providing them with private and unrestricted time to work. Tropical members will support residents virtually and we will be taking thorough sanitizing measures between each resident. All programming (for the time being) will be online, though most artists have opted for their final public-facing events to take place at a future date (TBD) when it is safe for us to all gather again. During a time when so much is uncertain, we are humbled and grateful to be able to continue to support our residents with space, time, and financial resources.
Tyrras Warren received formal training in drawing and printmaking before exploring an expanding repertoire of media, and currently works with still and time-based/durational pieces.
Ty holds an MFA in Digital Arts and is a Senior Instructor of Art & Technology at the University of Oregon. Ty's studio is frequently visited by several chickens, 2 cats, 2 goats, 1 large dog, and a multitude of artistic demons. Ty's work is utterly insignificant.
Princess Bouton is a Black Transfeminine filmmaker and performance artist based in Portland, Oregon. She’s a Portland State University film graduate, class of 2020. She has a dance background that includes modern dance, ballet, and vogue and she often incorporates movement art in her films. Her work explores topics of intersectionality, self love, and body positivity.
She extends an invitation for viewers to realize social change and black trans liberation and she unapologetically demonstrates what that freedom could look like. Princess Bouton is also a trained facilitator and activist in the Portland Kiki ballroom scene and is the princess of the kiki House Of Flora.
Irene Chau currently works out of Portland, Oregon. They received their BFA at the University of Oregon, graduating with Latin Honors Magna Cum Laude in Sculpture with a minor in Food Studies. Their work has been exhibited at the Washburn Gallery and the Laverne Krause Gallery at the University of Oregon, and the Adell McMillian Gallery at the UO’s Erb Memorial Union. They have received the Jan Zach Memorial Scholarship in Sculpture and the Carol and Terry Reinholds award for Fibers in Florence. In 2018, they were awarded the Dean’s Award for excellence in undergraduate work at the UO Spring Storm.
Tropical Contemporary is an artist collective, exhibition space, and cultural content producer residing in Eugene, Oregon. Since launching in 2015, their primary goal has been to provide the Eugene Community access to viewing, participating, and creating contemporary art with an emphasis on providing a platform for marginalized and emerging artists. Over half of our members and organizers are LGBTQIA+ and are excited to partner with Trans*Ponder to continue their work in supporting queer artists.
TransPonderis a grassroots completely transgender founded and led nonprofit based in Eugene, Oregon providing education, support, and resources for the trans/gender diverse community and its allies. Transponder is one of only two trans-found and lead non-profits in the state of Oregon and the only one serving adults. Trans*Ponder’s vision and commitment is to: address root causes of discrimination in the trans/gender diverse community; deconstruct inter sectional discrimination of all underrepresented/oppressed groups within and outside of our organization; increase allyship and accomplices through relationship building and education; foster leadership withing the trans/gender diverse community across generations; promote access to health by fostering expertise in mental, physical, and spiritual healing communities; network with legal counsel knowledgeable about the trans/gender diverse community; and to create and support projects and/or initiatives that showcase transgender people thriving
