My Divine Comedy

My Divine Comedy, reinterprets Dante Alighieri's 14th-century epic, The Divine Comedy, through the lens of my personal journey as a queer individual. Inspired by Dante's vivid depiction of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven, my work reflects my struggle between my true self and the rigid beliefs of the fundamentalist church in which I was raised.

Reading Inferno, I was captivated by Dante’s descriptions of eternal damnation, resonating deeply with my own fears of condemnation. This series serves as an allegorical exploration of my path to self-acceptance and love, paralleling Dante’s narrative from darkness to light. Through self-portraits and constructed imagery, I blend literal interpretations of Dante's text with my own imaginative visions, challenging and reimagining his story.

As I develop this series, I reflect on questions that have haunted me: What would my journey through the afterlife look like? How would my so-called sins be punished, especially as a queer person who has rejected purity culture? More importantly, how can I dismantle these internalized punishments and celebrate my authentic self?

This is a WIP, check back periodically for updates.