Artist Inspo #4

Jeffrey Cheung

I discovered Jeffrey’s work at San Francisco Zine Fest. Or maybe it was at the risograph workshop I took in Oakland. Or maybe it was at the Hashimoto Gallery.

Okay, fine! I can’t pinpoint when I first found his work!

All that I know is the second I saw those goofy, hairy, snuggly figures I was in love.

Jeffrey’s work is an expression of freedom: A freedom to be different and beautiful on your own terms.

His figure art is not striving to satisfy traditional conceptions of beauty— If anything his art is showcasing the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to hate. Our hair, our buttholes, our wonky toes, and our androgyny.

Gender has always been complicated for me, so Jeffrey’s art is especially empowering for me to witness.

I feel seen in his art in a way I wasn’t allowed to feel for so long.

I’ve spent most of my life confused about who I was because of the incessant messaging that my gender identity wasn’t what others wanted for me.

I remember repeat occasions of being surrounded by beaming smiles as a dress was thrust into my arms— everyone wanting it, except me. No one seemed to care what I felt or wanted.

But I did want their acceptance. I did like being called pretty, but I felt so uncomfortable performing a false identity for love. It was painful knowing that everyone loved me more as someone I wasn’t.

As I grew older these feelings soured into a sticky, bitter self-hate. I refused to let them win— so I rejected my feminine side completely and I shrunk myself into a male stereotype simply out of spite.

I lost parts of myself I’ve had to fight for years to regain. I poisoned relationships with my disdain and internalized misogyny. I hurt others with my confusion and pain.

Today, after many years of introspection, study, and therapy I’m relearning who I really am. I don’t identify as masculine or feminine anymore.

I’ve personally identified as non-binary for years, but I’ve never told anyone other than my husband because I’m tired of my identity being debated.

I don’t really care how other people see me anymore.

I know who I am and I am very proud to be the full person I once felt to be as a child.

I now love my feminine and masculine sides equally and find so much pleasure in leaning into both with as much joy as I can.

I think this piece may literally be me.

Jeffrey’s art is very literally healing.

I cannot express how much joy it brings me to see my perceptions of beauty be championed.

One of my favorite art practices is figure drawing because it allows me to relearn the beauty of the human form on my terms— free from outside influence.

It allows me to finally see myself clearly through my own eyes and that is one of the greatest privileges.

Years ago I drew recurring androgynous characters that I really enjoyed. I called him "butt dude" and I keep meaning to bring him back for more androgynous joy.

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Comments (Let’s Chat!):

• Have you ever felt at war with your gender identity?

• Has your gender identity changed at all throughout your life?

• Do Jeffrey’s figures affect any of you all? Maybe even in a different way. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Listening to: