Land of the Free?

Land of the Free? is a deeply personal and politically charged work that responds to the emotional aftermath of a pivotal election. Through self-portraiture, Samuel Avery transforms his body into a collective surface—carrying not only his own feelings, but the voices of a wider trans community.

Covered in handwritten phrases gathered from others, the body becomes a site of shared grief, fear, anger, and resilience. Blue handprints mark solidarity and those who chose compassion, while red text evokes the weight of hostility, exclusion, and systemic threat. The central question—“Land of the Free?”—cuts through the composition, exposing the contradiction between national ideals and lived reality.

This work moves beyond individual expression, becoming an act of collective testimony. It amplifies voices that are often silenced, insisting on visibility, recognition, and unity. Avery’s image stands as both protest and call to action—reminding us that resistance is strongest when it is shared.