Artist Bio

Arlo was born and raised in Minnesota in a family that held both politically and religiously conservative views. From a young age, he was taught a strict set of ideologies to live by. During his adolescence, he began to grapple with an existential dilemma: he felt a growing disconnect between the gender presentation expected of him and his true self. This conflict was difficult to resolve while still adhering to the deeply ingrained ideals of his upbringing.

When he attended college, Arlo started to navigate and deconstruct these ideals that had held him captive. This journey empowered him to define his identity beyond those expectations. While his grandmother was one of the staunch enforcers of strict religious beliefs, she also played a crucial role in sparking his passion for art. She introduced him to various crafts, art mediums, and even art history. This exposure ignited a lifelong passion for creativity, which he further developed in college, focusing on art history, pottery, and graphic design. In the years following college, Arlo remained dedicated to his creative pursuits, learning needle felting and strengthening his skills as an illustrator. During this time, he began his transition, moved across the country several times, explored various industries, and defined his identity as he gained independence.

Today, he permanently resides in Minnesota, creating mixed media sculptures that explore his experiences and identity.

Artist’s Statement

My work explores the beauty of self-expression in the face of societal and religious pressures to conform to narrow definitions of gender and presentation. Drawing from my own experiences as a transgender man raised in a conservative Christian family, I use crafting mediums like clay and wool to create whimsical doll-like sculptures that incorporate religious imagery. These pieces comment on the repressive and ironic conflicts between religion and politics, which are often weaponized in conjunction against marginalized groups. My mixed media sculptures examine the process of shaping one's self-image in a way that is both affirming and a courageous act of defiance against ideals that restrict freedom and expression.