B.G-Osborne

Oz aka B.G-Osborne/ Beck Gilmer-Osborne(born 1991)[1] is a queer, bigender, autistic, Transmedia artist, and settler of Scottish and British descent who was raised in rural Ontario, and currently lives in Newfoundland.[2] Their practice deploys photography, video, installation, print media, and performance, questions of embodiment, and using their familial archives as a way to unpack and better understand their neurodivergence, mental illnesses and connect/communicate with people.[3][4]

B. G-Osborne
B.G-Osborne, home town. 35mm print, photo taken by Benjamin da Silva
Born1991
Treaty 20 territory
OccupationArtist
Websitehttps://bgosborne.weebly.com

Early life and education

B.G-Osborne grew up in rural Ontario, on treaty 20 territory. They graduated from NSCAD in 2014 with a BFA in Intermedia.[3] In 2018 they undertook a Masters of Information Studies in the Archival Studies program at McGill University.[1]

A Thousand Cuts

A Thousand Cuts is their award-winning three-channel video installation which weaves together scenes from 48 films, 34 television series, and a music video, in which cisgender actors play transgender characters. The title is a reference to the phrase "death by a thousand cuts" to allude to the video "cut" and the way popular culture media has misrepresented trans people, contributing to anti-trans violence.[5] The work was publicly censored in 2018 by Arts Common while on view in The New Gallery’s +15 Window on the basis that folks had complained about swearing and nudity.[6] The artist wrote an open letter to the offended viewers and despite attempts by The New Gallery to challenge the decision, find a compromise solution, and foster dialogue, ultimately the work was removed.[6][7][8] The controversy brought significant attention the work which subsequently went on to be screened in numerous other galleries.[4][9][10]

Black and white headshot of B. G-Osborne, a white person with long hair and an intense stare. Landscape picture orientation with head placed slightly up from centre of image. Body takes up middle third of picture plane. They are not smiling and looks directly out at the viewer with their left shoulder forward and in the foreground. Artist has long hair, worn slicked back on top, tucked behind their ears, allowing the hair to fall over chest.  There is a shadow of stubble and facial hair. To the left is a set of blinds and to the right a wall with taped notes and photos that gives way to a counter
Self-Portrait in Studio. March 30, 2020

Awards

In 2019 B. G-Osborne was selected by BackFlash Magazine as the annual Optic Nerve Image Contest winner.

References

  1. "A Thousand Cuts — Fuller Rosen Gallery". fullerrosen.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. "Artist talk B.G-Osborne : A Thousand Cuts / La Centrale". La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  3. "B.G-Osborne, Artist Talk". NSCAD. 2018-11-05. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. Hébert, Jessica (2020-06-05). "Interview with Beck Gilmer-Osborne Part 2 – A THOUSAND CUTS AND CENSORSHIP". Artexte. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  5. "B.G-Osborne's A THOUSAND CUTS: Misconceptions of Trans People in Popular Culture". Luma Quarterly. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  6. "A Thousand Cuts / The New Gallery". Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  7. "TNG eNews / Regarding Censorship and Arts Commons Partnership". us4.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  8. "TNG eNews / Alternative venues screen "A Thousand Cuts", +15 Window receptions cancelled, and an invitation to an open forum". us4.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  9. Sandals, Leah. "Censorship Issues Surface at Arts Commons in Calgary". Canadian Art. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
  10. Sandals, Leah. "Artist-Run Centres Leave Calgary Arts Commons". Canadian Art. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
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