Pleasure Closet from Wo/Manhouse 2022 is a mixed-media installation that delves into the intricate cycle of Pleasure, Guilt, and Shame experienced within the queer community. Wo/Manhouse 2022 was a project created for the 50th Anniversary of Womanhouse. New Mexico artists from across the gender spectrum transformed sixteen rooms into works of art that explore the subject of the home. Nancy Youdelman, one of the original Womanhouse participants, facilitated the project with Judy Chicago and Donald Woodman overseeing Wo/Manhouse 2022 as advisors.

The installation comprises two distinct sections. To the left, a void crafted from entwined hands of prayer surrounds a pew where visitors can kneel to view a video. The right side features an electrically adorned crucifix embellished with curtains reminiscent of a confessional booth. Concealed behind the crucifix lies wallpaper that seamlessly integrates with the mid-century home motif. On initial inspection, the wallpaper appears as an inherent component of the closet. Yet, upon closer scrutiny, the words "maricon", “faggot” and "queer" are intricately woven into the design. These words signify reclamation, representing our endeavor to counteract the shame experienced as queer individuals within a heteronormative society.

Upon kneeling at the pew, viewers confront the word "Guilt" positioned directly beneath "Pleasure," remaining concealed until they engage with the act of kneeling at the aperture.

The video unfolds in three distinct segments. The initial segment explores Pleasure, fusing vintage footage of bodybuilders and men engaging with their bodies in suggestive ways. This references the queer history embedded in past Physique magazines. The subsequent portion centers on Guilt, featuring contemplative scenes and a depiction of a queered Jesus figure shedding tears. The final phase revolves around shame, capturing the emotions queer individuals grapple with due to desire and societal pressures to conform. The individual depicted in the video navigates these emotions within the confines of a domestic space. The video culminates with a radiant "Jesus Saves" sign shrouding their visage.

To me, Guilt signifies the sensation stemming from perceiving a wrongful action, whereas Shame encompasses the belief that one's entire being is flawed—a more personal reflection. Through this installation, my aspiration is to initiate dialogues that dismantle this cycle and foster acceptance for those who feel marginalized.