Artist Joshua Serafin is making waves in the art world with their innovative exploration of pre-colonial, gender-nonconforming identities through a series of performances and video installations. Their work, titled “Cosmological Gangbang” (2020–ongoing), challenges viewers to confront the violence faced by trans people of color while also encouraging a reconnection with one’s spirit and ancestral roots.
Serafin’s artistic journey began with drawing in their native Philippines before delving into ballet and contemporary dance in Hong Kong. Their first solo choreography piece, “MISS” (2021), delved into the performativity of gender within the transgender beauty pageant subculture in the Philippines. This exploration of queerness and femininity set the stage for Serafin’s later works.
The “Cosmological Gangbang” series, consisting of “Timawo,” “Creation Paradigm,” and “PEARLS,” has been the focus of Serafin’s practice for the past four years. Drawing inspiration from fantastical worlds and video games, the trilogy showcases empowered feminine figures on transformative journeys of ancestral divinity.
One of the most impactful pieces in the series is “VOID” (2022), which delves into the artist’s psyche to confront suppressed traumas and demons. Through a mix of live performance and video installation, Serafin navigates the pain of leaving home early and the violence experienced as a queer-trans person, using the character “VOID” as a means of healing and self-expression.
In “Creation Paradigm” (2023), Serafin collaborates with other trans performers to explore the embodiment of divine entities and celebrate trans joy in both past and future narratives. The video installation bridges the gap between personal introspection and communal celebration of trans and nonbinary identities.
The most recent chapter of the series, “PEARLS” (2024), continues to build on the themes of collective storytelling and reclaiming space for trans bodies. Drawing inspiration from indigenous Filipino mythologies, Serafin and their collaborators engage with the Manobo-Talaandig community to interpret stories of interconnectedness in their own unique way.
Through performances that challenge colonial legacies and confront societal norms, Serafin invites viewers to reflect on the pain of detachment between body and spirit. Their ongoing exploration of primordial mud as a medium for painting signifies a deepening connection to the transformative power of art in healing collective wounds and fostering beyond-human camaraderie. As Serafin continues to push boundaries and experiment with new forms of expression, their work serves as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities seeking to reclaim their narratives and identities.
