The Taboo of Touch with Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore

In Touching the Art, Matilda Bernstein's experiences of alienation and rejection are not only personal but are tied to larger systemic issues like gentrification, capitalism, and patriarchal violence. She critiques how these systems exacerbate queer trauma by displacing, silencing, and erasing marginalized individuals. She grapples with both the legacy of past generations and the ongoing pressures she's living in the present. Despite the pervasive trauma, Touching the Art also holds space for moments of queer joy, creativity, and survival. The story emphasizes the transformative potential of chosen families, radical art, and acts of defiance against oppressive norms.