Eli Burke and Jesse Burke

Curated by Sara Hubbs

Artists and cousins Eli and Jesse Burke weave a compelling visual narrative that intertwines identity, nature, and transformation through their collaborative photography. Their work is deeply rooted in Arizona’s bioregions, Eli’s home for over two decades. The project explores themes of trans identity, masculinity, and embodiment, while examining the interplay between the human experience and the natural world.

The photographs are printed on coroplast, a material commonly used for political campaign signs and other forms of public messaging. By appropriating this substrate, the work subverts the visual language of persuasion and certainty, transforming a material associated with public declarations into a space for personal reflection, ambiguity, and lived experience. The coroplast is not simply a support for the images; it carries its own political and cultural associations, inviting viewers to consider whose stories are granted visibility in public space.

The Burkes’ photographs reflect a profound connection between the shifting landscapes and the fluidity of the trans body. The ever-changing deserts and forests, with their resilient flora and vast skies, mirrors the process of transformation within the body. Commenting specifically on the trans body, the work reflects both its vulnerabilities and strength as it undergoes constant redefinition. This symbiotic relationship between body and land speaks to the ways in which they both exist in perpetual states of change, growth, and renewal, embodying the very essence of metamorphosis.