Gender dysphoria is defined as one's emotional and psychological identity as male or female being opposite from their biological sex. But this picture below demonstrates more than just a simple definition.

This artwork demonstrates the internal struggle that gender dysphoria creates for the human vessel as a person fights against the outer forces that attempt to demolish them.

Through my art, I wanted to reveal how such a beast can create a realm of disconnect between the mind and body within, creating a wall of internal judgment and self-hatred. This work is only revealing a piece of my identity, to show how trapped I feel and how I attempt to scream my truth, only to be blocked out by excuses and other people's fantasies. I manage to survive through this war with my shield and behind closed doors where I know I can be my true self without the fear of other eyes burning holes into my back. My hoodie acts as my shield and the closet as my safe place, but they are not the solution.

Photography has given me the ability to capture the dark truth behind the meaning of gender dysphoria. Until I am able to transition to my true form, I will not be able to feel at ease in my own body.

By Sam Grizelj

This is a triptych project that I created during my time spent at Ringling: College of the Arts and Design in their pre-college program. A triptych is an art piece that has work separated into three panels with similar subjects, or a message in each panel that relates to one another. The formatting can be placed in any way the artist chooses. I took photography as one of the classes, and with this work, I wanted to demonstrate the struggles I face being a transgender male through the form of photography while exhibiting external and internal conflicts.

My goal was to not only bring an understanding to my emotions about my struggles but to also bring awareness to those who continuously face struggles similar to mine and help those who have a difficult time understanding the concept of what a transgender person may struggle with on a daily basis.