By using humor and recognizable entertainment platforms, Grace Whiteside's work invites audiences to question the dominance of straight, conventionally attractive, cis-gender identity representations and overwhelmingly patriarchal homophobic narratives.

Glass has become their most intimate co-star after a decade of training. Whiteside employs techniques that dispute mastery and highlight the ambiguity of glass’ Nonbinary molecular structure–neither solid nor liquid, glass is Queer. Together, they interrogate the notion of “clout” (i.e. notariety) increasingly sought by and bestowed upon reality television stars featured on mainstream media platforms. This is often achieved through live and recorded interdisciplinary performances starring amorphous, hot-glass puppets who obscure hegemonic body representations and use greenscreen technology to disrupt the architectural and perspective bounds of “reality.”

The focus of their work draws from personal experiences of dysphoria as a participant in reality television shows: their father’s “Salvage Dawgs,” (HGTV, 2013) and the glassblowing competition, “Blown Away” (Netflix, 2022).

The confluence of these materials, techniques, and concerns create boundless spaces of resilience and refusal of form, embracing weirdness and stickiness, illuminating inclusive models for playful, ruminating curiosity.