Vaughan Larsen

In this series of staged self-portraits, built off of my series Rites, I enact moments surrounding maternity. These photographs give me the ability to create and participate in fictitious memories that have been altered to fit my queer experience. I question the societal norms that assume certain experiences are necessary for a fulfilling life. The physical ability to conceive, along with the tradition of raising one’s own child from birth are usually out of reach for LGBTQ+ identifying people. Making these photographs gives me the ability to participate in these moments, while confronting the disappointment I feel not being able to partake in this rite of passage. My goal is to expand the desires and norms that could be available to heterosexual, cis-gendered people by showing the absurdity of the expectations to which we are supposed to conform.

This project was created for Milwaukee's Plum Blossom Initiative and made possible by Getty Image's Creative Bursary Grant.