Artist Ria Brodell began the “Butch Heroes” project at the Boston Public Library, looking for transgender pioneers in an aisle of LGBTQ-themed books. The search led to historical figures like the Mexican army lieutenant Petra “Pedro” Ruiz, who dressed as a man and became a leader of the Constitutionalist Army, and the Native American chief Biawacheeitche, who became known as “Woman Chief”; others were from the U.S., Italy, Prussia, and Japan. Brodell found more material online with the search terms “female husband” and “deathbed discovery” — for centuries, if people identified outside gender norms, a biological identity would only be discovered after their death, during an autopsy. Brodell painted the transgender figures on prayer cards — a nod to a Catholic upbringing and religious role models with whom Brodell never identified while growing up.
In an interview, Brodell explained the premise: “I’m not trying to Catholicize these figures, I’m strictly using the prayer card as a means of remembrance, as a means to remember people that you care about and admire — to learn from [them].” The portraits are now featured in the exhibition “Butch Heroes” at Wellesley College’s Davis Museum. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed written history of the subject (which you can also view on the artist’s website).
Researching and creating the paintings informed Brodell personally as well: “I found myself being okay with just referring to myself as non-binary and trans … a little bit more comfortable in my own skin.” The artist said the paintings give viewers an array of transgender people to look up to. “I look back and I’m a kid that’s dressing in army gear, playing G.I. Joe, wanting super short hair, playing baseball on the boys’ team. How would my life have been different [if I had these role models]? Would I have had more confidence?” The show is on view at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College throughout the 2017–2018 academic year. Click ahead for a preview.
Captain Wright, c. 1834 England, 2016
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 1/2 in (25.4 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 7 in (27.9 cm x 17.8 cm). Gift of Louis Wiley, Jr.
Clara aka “Big Ben” c. 1926 United States, 2014
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 7/16 in (25.4 cm x 13.8 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Katerina Hetzeldorfer c. 1477 Germany, 2012
Gouache, image: 9 15/16 in x 5 1/2 in (25.2 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm).Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Petra “Pedro” Ruiz aka “El Elcha Balas” c. 1893-1938 Mexico, 2013
Gouache, image: 9 15/16 in x 5 7/16 in (25.2 cm x 13.8 cm); sheet: 11 1/8 in x 6 3/4 in (28.3 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Okuhara Seiko & Watanabe Seiran 1837-1913 and 1855-1918 Japan, 2013
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 1/2 in (25.4 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Catharina Linck aka Anastasius c. 1687-1721 Prussia, 2010
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 1/2 in (25.4 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Biawacheeitche or Woman Chief aka Barcheeampe or Pine Leaf, c. 1800-1854 Apsáalooke Nation, 2011
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 1/2 in (25.4 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 7 in (27.9 cm x 17.8 cm). Gift of Louis Wiley, Jr.
Naa Jian born c. 1910 Thailand, 2015.
Gouache, image: 9 15/16 in x 5 7/8 in (25.2 cm x 14.9 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Ann Marrow c. 1777 England, 2011
Gouache, image: 9 15/16 in x 5 1/2 in (25.2 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 11/16 in (27.9 cm x 17 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
Catterina Vizzani aka Giovanni Bordoni 1718-1743 Italy, 2012
Gouache, image: 10 in x 5 1/2 in (25.4 cm x 14 cm); sheet: 11 in x 6 3/4 in (27.9 cm x 17.1 cm). Museum purchase, The Nancy Gray Sherrill, Class of 1954, Collection Acquisition Fund.
