Mac McCusker

The content of my work regularly involves social commentary. I use humor to create pieces about experiences with sexuality and gender. As a transgender artist and activist I create work that will inform and educate. I am currently working on a series of ceramic Transgender Action Figures and a series involving Gender Politics. I am using sculpture to document my own experiences and struggles.

I embrace topics in our society that make people uncomfortable. Making a collection of Transgender Action Figures became a way for me to get comfortable talking about myself and transgender issues. The current dialogue in the media about Gavin Grimm, Caitlin Jenner and Laverne Cox gave me the courage to approach this topic.

I usually build the figures in my work from a solid piece of clay. When the clay is leather hard the figure is cut apart, hollowed, then carefully put back together before the details are added. I use underglazes and low-fire glazes performing multiple firings to get the desired result.

The Trans-Action Figures in this series were made from clay. A plaster mold is then made of the figure. Learning the mold-making process has been a challenge. The figures start off 18 inches tall then I make a plaster mold. Once the mold is complete I am able to slip cast the figure.

The display boxes are made from slabs and then carved specifically for each figure. They are fired to cone 04 using low fire glazes which are hand painted. Decals are then added to make the box look like an action figure display box. These figures are to be the role models that so many of us are looking for but cannot find in our current society.

–Mac McCusker

Mac McCusker received an MFA in Ceramics from Georgia State University and has taught at the college level at several universities in Georgia. Mac is currently a resident artist at Odyssey Clayworks in Asheville, NC. Mac’s work has been exhibited across the United States.