Distance is where the heart is, home is where you hang your heart, is a photo essay collaboration between artists Zackary Drucker and Amos Mac. This series serves as a conversation between Drucker, a trans woman, and Mac, a trans man, as they explore sexuality, gender identity, and spectacle. Set in Drucker’s hometown of Syracuse, NY, the elements of small town America are combined with an editorial style to showcase Drucker’s childhood experiences as they relate to gender. This specific image captures Drucker standing in the middle of a snowy high school football field. She is wearing an open fur coat showing off her bare chest, chain necklaces, and a furry hat. She stares down the camera with her piercing blue eyes. Her stance and outfit directly contrast the small hometown football field and show how out of place Drucker felt while growing up because of her struggle with gender identity. Drucker is the female spectacle, beautiful and delicate, but also encourages the viewer to think about who they are looking at by confronting the viewer’s gaze. This piece is a beautiful exploration of young experiences with gender identity for transgender youth.

Sarah Swan-Kloos ‘21