Elliot Silmon grew up being socialized as a female. From the time they were little, they were forced into dresses and the stereotypical social norms for females. In reality, Elliot is a nonbinary person who found their voice when creating art. For the longest time, they did not have any idea that what they felt of not being a female was a common experience. It took a really long time for them to come to terms with it themself, since they were not sure how others would respond to it. They felt like their family might not support them, so they turned to the only form of expression that was accessible to them. Which turned out to be art. They want to express themselves and others through their art, as a way of having the unspoken to be seen. Not everyone can come out safely or even be themselves, so Elliot tries to show the unspoken side of humans in their art. To further their skills in art, they gained a degree in Studio arts at the university of Little Rock. Elliot is currently still living in Arkansas, sharing LGBTQ+ experiences to life through the use of pride colors.
About
Core Statement
Ever just stop and watch someone? Everyone has a story. Your neighbor, the guy down the block, your enby mail delivery carrier. Not everyone has the same story, most people in fact have very different stories. It’s not a bad thing by any means, for it's what keeps life interesting. If everyone had the same experiences, life would get boring really fast. The problem is though, because not everyone has the same experiences, it's very hard for people to know about what others go through. Most people have really interesting stories that don’t get the honor of being shared with the world. Since I was little I have always loved stories, and watching the way people interact. I would come up with stories about people’s lives around me. Everyone got their own story, and if I was lucky I would be able to actually hear their stories. It wasn’t too often when I actually heard about what really happened in their lives, but when I did those were my favorite moments. There are thousands of untold stories in the world. It's just a way of life since there are billions of people around the world. I want to be able to share those stories in my art. I seek to capture as many people’s stories and experiences in my art as I can. That way people get to feel seen. It’s an experience that is worth sharing. I also want to experience as many other people’s lives as I can. That way more stories will be able to reach a bigger audience. That way someone can connect and feel not as alone in the world. Sharing stories is a way to connect and feel like you are part of something bigger than just yourself. I want to be able to share those stories with my art. I want to make untold stories a thing of the past. Everyone deserves to be heard and seen. As you look at this art, think about what kind of stories you could tell. Also, ask others about their stories. Your stories deserve to be shared with the world.
-Elliot Silmon, 2023