Artist Bex McCharen Finds Refuge and Connection in Miami’s Waters
The ocean has always held a special place in Bex McCharen’s heart. While attempting to photograph their extended biological family in the mountains of Virginia, McCharen felt a disconnect. But in Miami, surrounded by their queer and trans friends in the Atlantic Ocean, a sense of intimacy and connection fills the air. The water softens everything, allowing for natural and unguarded moments to be captured through McCharen’s lens.
McCharen’s latest body of work, titled “Queer Atlantics,” is a collection of photos taken during these gatherings with friends in the ocean. These images serve as the foundation for their upcoming event at Green Space Miami, where they will be sharing and discussing their works in progress as part of Women Photographers International Archive’s Image Readings series.
Known for founding the body-inclusive fashion label Chromat, McCharen has shifted their focus to textile, cyanotype, and photography in recent years. Their move into quilting marks a significant evolution, with water serving as a central theme in their work. The ocean, for McCharen, is a place of acceptance, support, and unity.
Living in Miami for nearly a decade, McCharen’s connection to the water runs deep. It has been a site of personal transformation, especially during their gender transition, and a gathering place for their closest community in the face of political adversity. Quilting has become a medium through which McCharen can explore and express these profound experiences.
Drawing on their family’s tradition of quilting, which dates back to their Mennonite roots in Virginia, McCharen incorporates fabrics and techniques passed down through generations into their work. By blending historic quilting patterns with modern imagery of bodies underwater and Miami’s coastline, McCharen creates a visual tapestry that preserves the sensations of time spent in the water with loved ones.
Through their art, McCharen aims to convey a message of resilience and joy in the face of legislative challenges that threaten the visibility and rights of trans and queer individuals in Florida. The ocean remains a sanctuary, a constant source of support and belonging, regardless of who holds political power.
As McCharen continues to explore the intersection of art, activism, and personal identity in their work, their dedication to capturing the beauty and strength found in Miami’s waters shines through. Join them on February 20 at Green Space Miami to experience the transformative power of “Queer Atlantics” firsthand.
