Loring Taoka

“My work has always been my way of processing my experiences. The territory of being a queer, person of color is a rugged mountain. Can’t not climb.

I left a Traumatic—my therapist called it “capital ‘T’ Trauma”—experience after years of being bullied, abused, and threatened. It killed my desire and ruined my sense of self. It has me questioning if I want to make art anymore. I’m sitting on the other side of this, trying to remember who I am, but I can’t make sense of it. The only way out is through, right?

I have to trust my muscle memory; go through the motions because this is what kept you grounded before, Loring. I’m fucked up and Kick me under the table is my first attempt to reconcile.”