SEREN THOMAS

I’m a trans non-binary artist known as Flatboy who makes art for non-profit and community purposes. A year ago, I started looking into getting my designs printed on t-shirts and a friend suggested screenprinting designs myself onto secondhand clothes as an environmentally-friendly option. I felt intimidated by the idea of entering an unknown arts space as someone who is visibly gender nonconforming and lacking artistic training, and so put this off until attending a short screenprinting course at Cardiff School of Art and Design. I didn't expect to, but I completely fell in love with the process and craft of screenprinting. It was my first time in a studio, and I realised how nourishing it is for my creativity and mental health to have access to that space. I later took Tom’s course at Printhaus and absolutely loved it. These courses have given me confidence and inspiration, but I have a lot more to learn. The mentorship would allow me to develop my screenprinting, and potentially try out riso printing. I’d hope to continue my Printhaus membership long-term, and would love to start with this mentorship. It’d be amazing to develop a creative community at Printhaus, creating art has often been a solitary practice for me and the artist community I currently have is mainly online. Having a physical space to come and work alongside other artists would be a game changer for me to feel more connected and inspired.

I first started regularly making art depicting gender non-conforming bodies in all their diversity because I felt that this was something missing from the art I saw around me. My work pictures trans people in their most joyful, vulnerable, loving and courageous moments. While often seen as a luxury, I believe that everyone should have access to art that speaks to them and represents their experiences. As in most marginalised communities, many trans people are living in financial insecurity, and I ensure that trans people can own any art I make, regardless of their means. I price work on a sliding scale and offer a pay-it-forward scheme. I co-run TransGiving, a project sending hundreds of free care packages filled with products by trans artists and makers to trans and non-binary people during winter. I have lots of ideas for future projects, including a zine and t-shirt. My main aim as an artist is to make work that gives trans people hope and makes them feel seen. Your mentorship would help me to continue doing this, and give me the opportunity to expand my skills and the art I want to make. Thank you for offering this scheme!