International Chrysis is an unsung transgender superstar most famous in New York nightlife during the 1980s. She was an accomplished performer in multiple realms - burlesque, cabaret, drag, theatre, as well as appeared in films, TV shows and music videos. Her confidence, brashness, incredible wit and sense of humor are mentioned by everyone who knew her. Tragically she died suddenly of liver cancer at age 39, while at a relatively high point in her life; she was in talks to appear in a theatre production based around her, and had appeared in a film with actor Nick Nolte.
I became aware of Chrysis legend very early in my own transition via the online forum the Motherboards, and was always fascinated by her. She occupies a mythical status, to date there hasn’t been a proper homage or presentation of her significance A documentary filmed very close to the time she died was released posthumously, however a great deal of language in the film is outdated, and arguably disrespectful to Chrysis. It focuses heavily on a perceived conflict Chrysis experienced with her gender, although many sources repeated that Chrysis was unabashedly open about being transgender, and took pride in her uniqueness. With that criticism acknowledged, the film is a rare glimpse into Chrysis’ life, and a wonderful opportunity to see her and hear her share wonderful wisdom.
By complete cosmic coincidence, in 2017 I came to live in a shared apartment in New York that Chrysis had also lived in thirty years prior. As I learned more about her, I found her an even greater source of inspiration than I had imagined. It was during this time that I began to organize what will now be an exhibition opening October 15, 2020, at Never Apart, an artist run centre in Montreal, Canada. The exhibition will highlight the accomplishments and unique path of trans-female/femme performers, including Chrysis, Connie Flemming, Candis Cayne, and emerging Montreal based performer Elle Barbara. Additional material will explore the history of overlap in drag and cabaret realms by Trans female performers and drag performers in venues such as Le Carrousel and Madame Arthur in Paris, the touring Jewel Box and Pearl Box Revues of the 1950s, New York’s 82 Club in the 1960s and 70s, and Montreal’s Cherchez La Femme revue. I will also be sharing personal items, video, and photographs from my time as a burlesque performer in the mid 2000s.
In January 2020, I inherited an archive of personal photographs (note: password required to view) of Chrysis’, which will form the basis of her presence in the exhibition. It is with the utmost adoration and reverence for Chrysis, her legend and legacy, that these items will be displayed at Never Apart as part of the exhibition, opening Oct 15, 2020. It is also with utmost gratitude to those that took time to share personal stories and background information on Chrysis, including Joey Gabriel, Annie Sprinkle, Matthew Kasten, HRH Princess Diandra, Steven Kirkham, Lauren Pine, David Ilku, Tony Zanetta, Chi Chi Valenti, and of course, Clark Render.