Eleven.

2015.

1 photograph : digital colour print ; image 50.8 x 76 cm, print 53.4 x 78.7 cm, frame 69.8 x 95 x 2.9 cm

One in a series of self-portraits titled ‘24’, which reflect on Kia LaBeija's experiences of being born HIV+.

"Here, LaBeija’s prom dress and regal pose capture her defiant attitude. LaBeija was born with HIV before new medication offered a normal lifespan. She and her mother attended this doctor’s office and this image marks the eleventh anniversary of her mothers death. In LaBeija’s words, “Transforming it into art is one way to shake myself free, to show that painful things can also be beautiful.”--From Being Human exhibition caption.

Exhibited in 'Being Human' at Wellcome Collection, London from 5th September 2019.

Wellcome Collection 3162233i