MIAMI — During their initial attempt to photograph family in Virginia’s mountains, Bex McCharen felt a disconnect. However, in Miami’s Atlantic waters with queer and trans friends, the camera captured intimacy effortlessly, as bodies gravitated naturally toward the lens. “The ocean is like church for us,” McCharen remarked, highlighting its role as a place of acceptance and wholeness.
These oceanic gatherings have inspired Queer Atlantics, McCharen’s latest creative endeavor. On February 20, an evening at Green Space Miami will feature this work as part of the Women Photographers International Archive’s monthly Image Readings series. Following this, McCharen will unveil their first solo exhibition at Dot Fiftyone Gallery, showcasing Queer Atlantics until March 4.
McCharen, known for founding the body-positive fashion brand Chromat, has transitioned into textile arts, cyanotype, and photography over recent years. Their work debuted at the Untitled Art Fair in December, signaling a shift toward quilting as a medium to express themes of refuge and belonging amid Florida’s challenging legislative environment.
Having lived in Miami since 2013, McCharen’s connection to the ocean has been transformative, particularly during their gender transition. Quilting, a skill passed down through generations in their family, becomes a vessel for this personal journey. “Quilting is love and care and legacy,” McCharen noted, emphasizing its cultural significance.
Embracing traditional techniques, McCharen incorporates historical quilt designs with modern elements like cyanotypes. Their work captures sensations of the ocean, such as the warmth of a wave or a friend’s touch. In “I am a river and my ancestral tributaries flow through me” (2025), the interplay of water and body is vividly depicted, symbolizing the enduring connection to nature and community.
