Beauty goes beyond gender. S/he Handsome, a new collection of pastel and acrylic figurative portraits by S. Rasheem continues a series of womanist works that decolonize standards of beauty. Each portrait realizes black masculine-of-center women in affirming ways. The term “masculine of center” was originally coined by social activist and entrepreneur B. Cole to encapsulate the intersectional facets and broad spectrum of lesbian/queer/womyn whose gender identities are more closely aligned with masculinity.

S/he Handsome, opening February 8 at Jubilee Arts, makes a resounding declaration about the complexities of identity—mainly that black, queer representation matters. We got a chance to talk to Rasheem about why the definition of certain words matter, what inspired her series, and what impact she hopes her portraits will have.

What inspired the series?
A few things, first, the absence of seeing masculine-of-center women. My desire is to make their experiences more visible. Often times when I see black women in visual artworks, they are usually hyper-feminine, hyper-sexualized and I wanted to portray them as beautifully, strongly, handsomely as they really are. All of the women in the portraits use she/they pronouns and identify as bois. I like that traditionally marginalized and objectified persons become the subject and bring viewers in to become the object, because they are like “I see you seeing me.” So, it’s like we are all in the picture together.

Handsome is such a specific term in relation to gender and masculinity.
The use of handsome was very intentional, because the goal is to interrogate the conversation about who gets to be called masculine. Handsome seems to be used as a very gender-specific term, and women are not particularly seen as “handsome” and thought not to be able to be handsome. I think sometimes earlier from being around friends or partners and people wanting to articulate that they found them attractive, and feeling like handsome was misplaced. I wanted to purposefully say, no, they are handsome, we don’t have to search for another word.

If I had to say one thing about the body of work, each of them are saying, “I am not trying to be noticed, but I refuse to be ignored, I am here. [I’m] not going anywhere; in all of my strength, all of my beauty, all of my handsomeness.”

Who are the people in these portraits?
None of the women are people who came to model for me in a particular studio. These are people who be in everyday life, this is how they show up and present themselves to me and to the world. It was very important to me that I honored that and showed that. These aren’t costumes. To the degree that masculinity is performative; this is something that comes out of their being.

Why is it important to exhibit portraits of black masculine-of-center women?
Representation absolutely matters. I feel like there is a politic that is occurring around this battle between self-identity politics and acknowledgement politics. It’s important that they are seen, hear, and represented. I find it troubling, the lack of representation. It does not in any way gel with all of the places that these women show up every day—whether it’s your barber, or the officiant who married you, or the truck driver who brought you goods.

At minimum, I want the women to be seen and I want you to identify them in the way that they choose to be identified. I also want to provide a counter narrative around what it means to be masculine or female bodied. I want them to be seen through a particular lens that isn’t tragic, scarred, or hurt. I want to show them in ways that I see them: strong, bad ass, here, visible, present.

In response to the devastating flood that ravaged Ellicott City’s Main Street last Sunday, Charm City businesses are coming together to host fundraisers, dining promotions, and benefit concerts to help community members in need. Check out our growing list of ways to give back to those affected.

 EAT

June 2: Taste of Three Cities

Patterson Park, 27 S. Patterson Park Ave. 12-9 p.m. Free-$65. 410-960-9908.

As more food trucks join the local scene, it can be difficult to try all of the city’s new wheels while remaining loyal to longtime staples. (We’ll always have a soft spot for local favorites like Gypsy Queen Café and Greek on the Street.) Luckily for us, Maryland’s largest food truck festival will return to Patterson Park this Saturday with more than 50 regional food trucks, making it easy to sample eats from a variety of four-wheeled kitchens from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. At this seventh annual extravaganza, fill up on snacks like savory seafood from the D.C.-by-way-of-Brooklyn Red Hook Lobster Pound, locally-sourced oysters from Charm City’s own Urban Oyster, and fried cheese from Philly favorite The Cow and the Curd.

 DRINK

June 1: Goodbye Union Avenue

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 Union Ave. 5-10 p.m. Free. 410-467-0290. 

With less than two months until the grand opening of Union Craft’s new brewery and makerspace at the Union Collective across I-83, it’s almost time to close down the beloved Woodberry tap room that’s been pouring out Duckpins for more than five years. This Friday, celebrate the next chapter with one last parking-lot party, featuring those well-loved corn hole boards, tunes by local indie band Cara Kelly & The Tell Tale and grub from The Local Oyster. Get there early to grab one of the limited-edition anniversary sours for an extra-special farewell toast.

 SEE 

June 1: Baltimore Youth Arts Showcase

116 W. Mulberry St. 6-8 p.m. Free.

Since Gianna Rodriguez (featured on our list of Baltimore Visionaries) established Baltimore Youth Arts back in 2015, the program has become one of the cornerstones of the city’s effort to provide artistic and professional opportunities to local kids. This Friday, stop by the Platform Arts Center to view various artworks and design projects by the next generation of artists, including pieces by young people involved with or in the justice system. Afterwards, BYA encourages attendees to walk one block over to Resort gallery for its silent auction fundraiser that helps support the youth program.

 

 HEAR

June 1: Celebration of Lafayette Gilchrist

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave. 8-11 p.m. 410-276-1651.

To the city’s delight, Baltimore-based pianist and jazz virtuoso Lafayette Gilchrist recently took home a 2018 Baker Artist Award for his signature funky, soulful sound that has been exciting critics since his debut album, The Music According to Lafayette Gilchrist, in 2004. (Not to mention when his music made it onto soundtracks for iconic television shows like Treme and The Wire.) This Friday, head to Creative Alliance to hear this genre-defying musician give a victory-lap performance with exceptional guest artists like drummer Eric Kennedy and trumpet player Dave Ballou.

 DO

June 2-3:St. Anthony Italian Festival

Little Italy. Sat. 12-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 

With pizza, pasta, and cannoli around every corner, it’s almost too easy to gain a few pounds during a trip through Little Italy. During this weekend’s Feast of St. Anthony celebration, kiss your beach body goodbye as you indulge in endless authentic Italian eats and, of course, glasses of vino. To walk off the carbs, stroll through the tiny historic neighborhood and participate in the festival’s many activities, including a bocce tournament, cooking demonstrations, and, if you’re still hungry, the annual Roma sausage-eating contest.