Preview Laurence Philomene’s Masterful Monograph: "Puberty"

Studio August 19, 2022 Anna Claire Mauney

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

self-portrait in the afternoon light, january 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

Puberty by Laurence Philomene is a must-have, modern yet moody, book and work of art. Its pages are chockfull of intelligent art-historical references, handwritten personal divulgences, casually surreal still lifes, and nude self-portraiture.

Measuring eight by ten inches, the monograph includes 188 photographic plates. Every aspect of the publication contributes to the work’s larger goal: To document the artist’s experience of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) as a non-binary transgender person and highlight the “intimate and vital” role of self-care in this process.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

1 - paint my like one of your pre-raphaelite boy-girls, february 2019, puberty.

paint me like one of your pre-raphaelite boy-girls, february 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

The first image in Puberty playfully yet somberly touches on the long (and often problematic) tradition of the reclining female nude. By adopting a pose that was used more than once by big-name artists to sexualize and exotic women—think Odalisque—Philomene emphasizes the beauty of their non-bianary-ness and prompts views to "consider identity beyond binaries."

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

5 - backstory text, self-portrait in leather pants, march 2019, puberty.

Backstory text and self-portrait in leather pants, march 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

The artist candidly reflects on the many aspects of undergoing HRT as a nonbinary transgender person. These musings are expertly paired with colorful portraiture.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

3 - daily still life, february 2019 puberty.

daily still life, february 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

Philomene's dynamic use of color in their stunning still lifes offers a sense of meditative joy and intimate insight to the viewer.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

snowstorm, january 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features photograph of baked goods from 2020

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features photo and text from 2020.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

8 - self-portrait in the afternoon light, january 2019, puberty.

self-portrait in the afternoon light, january 2019, as seen in Puberty by Laurence Philomene.

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features photographs from early 2020.

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features text and photographs from summer trips in 2020.

Philomene reflects on the physical relief they're finally able to experience and how that is, in some part, due to HRT and their current levels of testosterone.

"My health has been a lot more stable since finishing college (2014) and allowing myself to live at my own pace," wrote the photographer, before adding, "I believe testosterone has helped a lot too, because having a menstrual cycle was really rough on my body."

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

Page from Puberty, one of those moments you want to live forever.

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features text and photographs from early 2020.

Early on in the text, the artist divulges the following thoughts on starting HRT: "I remember on the day of that first as I thought, I died a little today, that's how people see this. I thought I'd be a whole different person." They end up concluding, "If anything I just sink more into who I am a bit every day."

Courtesy Yoffy Press and the artist.

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features photographs from summer 2020..jpg

Page from Puberty by Laurence Philomene, features text and photographs from summer 2020.

About the Author

Anna Claire Mauney

Anna Claire Mauney is the former managing editor for Art & Object. A writer and artist living in North Carolina, she is interested in illustration, the 18th-century, and viceregal South America. She is also the co-host of An Obsessive Nature, a podcast about writing and pop culture.