Cat Jones
Directing
Biography
Cat Jones is a multi-media artist and independent curator whose work is centered around identity, self-acceptance, and reflection. He uses his years of mental health work to gauge his practice and influence narratives that are necessary to highlight; work that centers on the interpersonal dialogue one has with the external world, in ways that are inviting, sharp, and warm. Cat has curated for LACE Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, published in Skew Magazine (2020, 2021 issue), and has been featured in New York Times, Rolling Stone, & Gay Times. He has maintained a sense of importance in relation to amplifying the voices of Black & Queer individuals, as well as providing artistic and healing spaces for the community.
Known For
The art of posting flyers of local events near freeways, bus stops, bus benches, and abandoned buildings, is another act of call & response. The call being the ask and the response being the witness. The process of distributing programming in this way was intentional to pay homage to street organizations that work to promote their events. Locally ran, word of mouth: “ I saw the flyer on Santa Monica & Vermont and was like ‘I should go to that’”.
Reclaiming Performance
'This 5:25 short explores the interpersonal processing that occurs usually alone. The act of self-surveillance has allowed me to reflect on and embrace aspects of my identity I’ve been hesitant to acknowledge. Curiosity has steered this process and for that, I honor what has been discovered. These recordings are a form of liberation for Trina.' - Cat Jones
The Quiet One
A visual & auditory reclamation of trans masculine existence through performance. In this, there is a reclaiming of narrative & archival stories as it relates to one's aspect of Black Trans Masculinity. It is a call to witness; to witness black queer artistry in varying forms as a form of resistance against western cultural binaries.