Pride with Finn: I could make whatever I wanted and I could dress however I like.

As we start the new school year, we’re highlighting queer and trans youth in our community. Get to know Finn, (any pronouns) local youth artist, ceramicist and activist. They are a rising senior at David Douglas High School, and one of the founders of their Filipino student club.

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How would you describe your art practice?

My art is a mixture of many different forms. I vary from drawing with regular pencil, charcoal, painting with watercolor, acrylics, and doing pottery both thrown on the wheel and handbuilt. I’ve done art ever since I was about 6 years old, though I never fully discovered pottery until 2022 during my first ceramic class freshman year. I was passionate about other mediums but I quickly realized how connected to ceramics I felt. 

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What do you love most about ceramics?

I loved how you could make absolutely anything out of clay. You could make functional wear or weird sculptures. There really were never limits. You could make anything to your heart’s desire. Ever since I started I never wanted to stop even for a second, I loved being in the studio as much as I could and even came in during lunch and other classes when I had no work to do. 

For Pride, we at APANO love highlighting our queer and trans artists and creatives. For yourself, why do you feel like there’s a strong connection between your passion for ceramics and your gender identity ?

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I tried different things over and over until I found what was right and I found something I had lots of pride in. That gives me the motivation to make art that I love. I didn’t have to fit anything into a box because I could make whatever I wanted and I could dress however I like. 

With ceramics and my coming out, both are a process to figure out what feels right for you. As a trans, gay man, who dresses quite feminine, it took me such a long time to finally feel like I fit right with my identity once I came out in 7th grade. I had a deep hatred for anything feminine just until a year and a half ago. I tried so many different styles, different pronouns, different hairstyles. Yet, I always felt so insecure with both gender and body dysmorphia. I hated my chest and my voice. No matter what I did, I hated even the slightest bit of femininity being shown and tried to hide it as best as I could. I struggled and struggled to just finally feel happy in my body. 

But during the summer of my sophomore year, I found feminine clothes more appealing, makeup more fun, and cute things more pretty. I began trying a new style, a much more feminine but fitting style. It felt awkward at first, like a teen going through puberty kind of awkward where nothing feels right but you still try. I tried and tried again. I got makeup tips from my girl friends and scrolled on Pinterest for outfit ideas until what I wore and put on just felt right. I felt confident and proud of who I was and happy that I finally found something that suited me. It made me realize that I could be comfortable wearing what I want and that I didn’t have to conform to what many people perceived a trans man to be.

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

If I were to give my younger self and older self advice, I’d tell my younger self to stop worrying about what other people think of them. Be yourself and you’ll find friends that’ll love you and understand you for who you truly are. Believe in yourself and focus on being your best self. 

And your older self?

I’d tell my older self to try not to be so stressed, communicate with everyone around you as much as you can, and know that it might be hard to achieve your dreams but just do your best and put in as much work as you can. You’re doing and know that you’ll be able to achieve what you want.

And lastly, how can our community follow and support you and your work?

If anyone wants to support me, just buy any of my pieces if I’m selling them! I’m currently trying to make an art account but haven’t finished the process yet but be on the lookout for that!