by Mallory Moad

“Good art arrives through an organic process of inspiration and emotion.” These are the words of Central Valley mixed media artist Arien Reed. With a style that is colorful, powerful and celebratory, Arien (he/they) is using his “hella gay art” to raise awareness about gender diversity and encourage love and unity. Self-described as a trans artist who paints people who are gender diverse or intersex, Arien’s vibrant portraits and murals pay tribute to trans culture in all its strength and beauty. “I aim to change minds,” he says, “but I’ll settle for making people smile and freaking transphobes out.”

Arien has made art since he was a child. It has frequently provided him with sanctuary during difficult times in his life and has served as a source of healing and self-expression. Although he always wanted a college degree in art and was accepted to both CSUF and Fresno City College, the number of students exceeding the number of seats, along with long wait lists, eventually made enrolling in classes impossible. But Arien’s determination and desire to learn won out, and he proceeded to educate himself with “dozens of books on techniques, perspective, anatomy, and color theory” as well as online tutorials. As his studies continued, Arien also discovered a deeply personal benefit of his self-education in the field of art: “It really gave me an emotional outlet during my transition and helped me feel less alone because everyone I painted was a trans person who had bravely lived in complete defiance of societal norms.”

Arien’s work has been well received and 2024 has presented some significant opportunities to widen his audience. In January, Arien was given his first solo exhibition at the Fresno Arts Council. The twenty paintings and drawings on display addressed the importance of transgender visibility in fine art. A published poet as well as a visual artist, Arien presented readings of some of his written works at the opening reception.

In March, prints of three of Arien’s creations were installed in the Social Justice Center at Fresno City College where they will remain on permanent display. This recognition is especially close to Arien’s heart––he served on the task force to establish the center. “I was so honored to see three large prints of my own artwork on the wall alongside such profoundly beautiful pieces by other local artists.”

Currently, Arien has a one-person exhibit at the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery in Visalia. The show, entitled “Preserving Trans History Through Art” showcases his Unerasure Series, a collection of vintage styled paintings and drawings of important figures from trans history in the United States from the 1880s to the present. “Trans people have been excluded from figurative art since human beings first became aware of physical differences and began valuing certain traits more than others,” he explains, or in other words, erased by society. His goal is to open the viewer’s eyes to the fact that being transgender has always existed and is not a modern-day occurrence or something inferior, thus “unerasing” this vital segment of the population and giving them a much-deserved place in fine art.

“Preserving Trans History Through Art” is more than visual representation. There is an installation component in which one wall of the gallery is covered with vintage newspaper clippings that report acts of violence against trans women throughout history. The effect is shocking and sobering. In addition, each of the thirty-two portraits is accompanied by the subjects’ life stories, including their remarkable, sometimes astounding, achievements and struggles. Unlike some artists (local and otherwise) who claim to be pro-feminist yet produce work that is an obvious product of the male gaze, the trans women of Arien’s art are portrayed with a beauty that goes deeper than boobs and flowing hair. He reveals their strength, dignity and power. “Decolonization, feminism and inclusivity are at the heart of everything I do because that’s what I value.” In addition to paintings, drawings, and prints, Arien has produced a number of murals that have been commissioned for commercial businesses and private residences. They capture the same energy as his smaller works but on a much larger scale.

Although Arien’s approach to life is positive, and the messages of his art uplifting, he is not immune to the ugliness of transphobia and homophobia. In April, while selling his art at a local festival, he was harassed loudly and at length by a passerby about his likelihood of ending up in hell. Of course those aren’t the exact words that sprewed from the mouth of this unhinged individual but I’m sure you get the drift. Rather than risk fueling the man’s anger by engaging him, Arien tuned him out and ignored him but was prepared the next day with appropriate music with which to diffuse his hateful diatribe. No threats were made and no one was physically injured but incidents like this have become more frequent. It is an example of what the LGBTQ+ community is confronted with all too often, and another of the issues Arien bravely explores with his art.

While Arien’s artwork is primarily aimed at adults, there is one project he designed especially for very young trans people. Let’s Love Trans Youth is part coloring book, part mental health workbook, and part exercises that encourage creative self-expression that all add up to positive affirmation. “My coloring book was something I came up with a couple years ago when trans youth rights first started being threatened,” he says. “My own mental health is always challenged when my own rights are threatened.” His goal was to do something that would help trans youth get through this difficult time. “If I was a trans kid right now I would be in need of something to look forward to so my current obstacles seem smaller and more like something I could overcome.” The original illustrations shine with optimism and encouragement.

For the majority of his adult life, Arien has been involved in activities that have earned him the title of activist. He co-founded the Rainbow Allies, Staff & Faculty Association and the Trans Ally Program, both at Fresno City College. He serves on the board of Trans E-Motion, a nonprofit service organization, and is a member of Fresno State’s LGBTQ Advisory Council.

But Arien sees his role in a different light. “Since art is what I do full time and have been using as a platform to promote love and understanding, I would call myself an ‘artivist.’” And that’s something this world could use a lot more of.

My name is Mallory Moad, and I believe that when art wins, humanity wins.

You can learn more about Arien, his artwork and personal journey on Facebook and Instagram or on his website, arienreed.com.

Photo Credit: Arien Reed

Check out more special Pride month articles that have gone up this month in our entertainment section and our mystery book section, and check out the latest Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast which features an LGBTQ+ plus author and main character and is read by local actor Sean Hopper.

Check out more local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. And don’t miss out on Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast where we feature mystery stories read by local actors!

Mallory Moad is a visual/performance artist, vocalist in the jazz band Scats on The Sly and a proud Central San Joaquin Valley native.