I grew up in an Arizona desert valley. My passion for visual arts emerged around the third grade during a school wide poster contest. I had never picked up pencils or paints with “intent” before that moment, but when I did, the flood gates opened. I received my first film camera when I was 9, a hand-me-down Minolta Hi-Matic my dad had from his early 20s. My passion grew for the medium along with a strong desire to improve my technical skills, as I fumbled through countless trial and error rolls of film. I spent much of my adolescent years immersing myself in any and every kind of visual art accessible to me. I am largely self taught, my junior high and high school art classes gave me the opportunity to learn darkroom methods and explore mediums freely. I briefly attended a private art school. I quickly realized the world of formal art education was not for me due to the restrictive structure and lack of affordability. Once I left behind the idea that I needed to fit inside a specific mold I was able to find my voice independently, and create freely on my terms.
Creating is as organic as it is for me to breathe, and just as crucial for my survival and health. I try not to limit myself to any specific medium, and I am always looking for some new skill to pick up. I am inspired by natural and fabricated environments, by human emotion and relationships, by science and the macabre. I create through the lens of a queer person of color. My goal is always to highlight the beauty, diversity, and individual truths of the world I exist in, while I continuously advocate for justice and equity. I hope to bring people together, to educate, and collectively question societal norms and commonly accepted ideas.
I am a Seattle, Washington based creator, currently attending the University of Washington as a health studies/ epidemiology major. I use visual art to tell stories, to elevate voices, and dissect the world we live in and further understand interconnected relationships and possibility for change. Contact me at intravenousvenus@gmail.com.
Group Exhibitions:
2019
Femme Fotal Volume 6 “Health”, ASU Northlight Gallery, Phoenix AZ
2018
Don’t Smile “Color Balance”, Phoenix AZ ; http://dont-smile.com/exhibitions-1/color-balance
2016
Girl's Imprint: A Photo Show By Femme Fotale, The Drive- Thru Gallery & Studio, Phoenix AZ
Up Close: A Personal Evening with the Film Community., The Drive-Thru Gallery & Studio, Phoenix AZ
2009
Emerging Artist, Lost Leaf Gallery, Phoenix AZ
2004
Southern Arizona Juried Student Art Exhibition, First Place in Paintings.
Publications
2019
Rudeeely Arrogant Clothing Co. 1369 lookbook campaign
Femme Fotal Volume VI “Health”, contributor
2018
In The Weeds zine, author
Femme Fotal Volume V “Resistance Resilience Hope”, contributor
2017
Femme Fotal Volume IV “Leafless”, contributor
2016
Fem Static Issue 6: Kinks and Cosplay, contributor
Femme Fotal Volume III “Analog”, contributor
Femme Fotal Volume II “Relationships”, contributor
Femme Fotal Volume I, contributor
All photography rights owned by Aaron Davis. All rights reserved.