Magdalena Dwyer
GRIEF
With the identity of queerness brings so much joy, yet so much grief to the world. A lack of acceptance. An environment that so desperately wants to see us destroyed. Given the opportunity, I would choose it over and over again, but how can I see myself in the mirror clearly?
6 photo series; 8.5" x 11" each
REJOICE
Being transgender is an extremely unique experience that causes for the arising of many emotions. Much of this is negative, with the constant barrage of attacks on our community from politicians, commentators, and even some of our supposed family and friends. Slurs are used to push us down, and rhetorical questions are asked to demean us (i.e. what is a woman), without good faith responses even given significance. Wonderful experiences with gender are unnecessarily sexualized and demonized, with actual displays of sexuality rarely seen as beautiful as those of our cis counterparts. However, there is also so much good that comes from it. New communities can be found to replace those that pushed us out; new experiences that excite us can replace those that took away dignity; a new existence full of optimism can replace the old one full of dread. a newfound life with hope and happiness many of us thought before never to be possible.
8 photo series; 8.5" x 11" each
WE ARE HERE
Attacks on LGBTQ+ identity tend to identify it as a trend, a phase, a psyop of sorts. We know this isn't true, we know we have been here since the dawn of time, since human nature gave us the ability to recognize ourselves as who we are. I would like to present a timeline of sorts of the history of us, of gender and sexual diversity over time.
Digital Collage printed on Linen Fabric; 11" x 40"
Past Exhibitions
Pride and Prejudice at RIVAA Gallery
Exhibition and Artist Panel at RIVAA Gallery on Roosevelt Island in New York, NY
June 2025
2 Pieces Exhibited
Rejoice: 8 photo series; 8.5" x 11" each
We Are Here: Digital Collage Printed on Linen Fabric; 11" x 40"
John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives
Piece Purchased for John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives, an extensive collection of LGBTQ historical memorabilia in Philadelphia, PA
March 2025
Grief: Single Photo; 8.5" x 11"
3rd Art Student Biennial Exhibition at William Way LGBT Community Center in Philadelphia, PA
March-April 2025
Single Piece Exhibited
Grief: Single Photo; 8.5" x 11"
Brick by Brick 2 Exhibition at Off the Wall Gallery in Philadelphia, PA
May-July 2024
2 Pieces Exhibited
Grief: 2 Photos; 8.5" x 11" Each
Upcoming Performances
2025 Electronic Music Marathon Hosted by WKDU
Spot in Electronic Music Marathon
WKDU 91.7FM Philadelphia from 0200-0300 October 13
DJ Set Featuring Ambient, Dark Wave, & EBM
Past Performances
Avenade - Leave It to Me
Model for Music Video
Music
UNDER CONSTRUCTION; MORE COMING SOON
Artist Statement
I did not grow up as an artist.Growing up on the south side of Atlanta, the tools to communicate my life were not given to me. I did not realize there was an opportunity to do so until I came to Philadelphia and began attending local DIY music and art shows. Simply put, I was hooked. My first art class then gave me instruments to start to present myself.Now, as a musician and multimedia visual artist, DIY aesthetics encompass my visual and audio representations. I create works that focus on crafting disruptions in conversations about systems of power in our everyday lives, particularly the cis-heteropatriarchy. My work explores the relationship between emerging sexualities and identities, and the unwanted gifts that they bring.Being a trans woman and a lesbian directly informs my work, as the experiences I write about, sing about, portray visually, etc. came as a result of living in those identities. Existing within my local community of queer recusants has given me the tools to showcase these (oftentimes negative) experiences, and turn them into something much more powerful.