Mal Dadivas

they/he

Denton, TX, USA

Mal Dadivas is a disabled queer trans non-binary metalsmith and jewelry maker in Denton, Texas. They specialize in realism through the means of bodily products and their relation to the experience of sex, disrupting binary, and Humor. They are an Undergrad at the University of North Texas and have been featured in faculty-led exhibitions.

My work is currently exploring my experience with sex, gender, and the binary, and how that interacts with the LGBTQIA+ community. Engaging the idea of sex contraceptives, censorship, and the struggle towards safe sex in an overly red state. While my work isn't conceptually cohesive, I try to understand that my experience coming into my identity isn't cohesive as well. I want to explore the world off of the binary and create whatever may come to mind.

@malwearjewelry

When creating my pronoun brass knuckles, the idea came after new transphobic legislation in Texas, and the constant bashing towards pronouns in the media. I was so tired of having to correct people and fight for something as simple as using the right ones. So I figured, since they are now legal in the state of Texas, they will get my pronouns the easy way, or the hard way. In Denton, Texas, there was a political issue that happened with Jeff Younger and the YCT “club” on the campus of UNT. A friend of mine protested against what Jeff wanted to do in legislation and got hit by a UNT Police car. Instead of being able to talk about what happened to him, he was targeted by the Proud Boys, a transphobic group that wanted to harm him. With the creation of these brass knuckles, I thought this could be another way that my family in the community could protect themselves."

How does your work relate to the theme connection?

What role does connection play in your creative process?

With my perspective as a POC and a queer, trans-non-binary creator, my inherent connection to political issues usually molds the ideas behind my projects. My personal experiences and the formation of my identity are ever-changing, as I learn more about the community and the concept behind labels (which aren’t always necessary). With craft, it is also ever-changing in its ideas and concepts, and I feel that both ideas easily interconnect with each other. What I will continue to explore in my creative process is the fluidity of connection in my community, and what that means to me through my lens."

"Pronoun Brass Knuckles", brass, 4.45" x 2.61", 2024

What connection(s) does your queerness make to the world around you?

Queerness tends to shape the world around me because of the identity I choose. Since it is out of the binary, I have to navigate every aspect of my life, whether it is my relationships, friendships, familial ties, etc. But because of this, I am connected to this loving community of people who have helped me navigate my journey with my identity and accepted me every step of the way."

Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.

This was my first time creating such a complicated cast project, and while there were issues with the investment (which caused divots in the base), I think it added to the grittiness behind the piece."