Artist repurposes Harry Potter books to honour murdered trans people, in defiant message to JK Rowling
"Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Trans rights are human rights," writes Tai Ericson's website
By Aaron Sugg
Tai Ericson, an artist based in Vermont, United States, is repurposing Harry Potter books to create portraits of murdered trans people as a form of protest against author JK Rowling.
Ericson began the project earlier this year, deconstructing donated Harry Potter books to create portraits of murdered transgender people, using the gender-critical author’s own words against her.
The books’s author, Rowling, is vocal online about her stance on transgender rights, including public spats with trans advocates, Pedro Pascal, India Willoughby, and Stephen Fry, and most recently criticising Glamour magazine’s Protect the Dolls cover.
“A culture that demonises and dehumanises trans people” – Tai Ericson’s website on Harry Potter author JK Rowling
Posting to X, Rowling wrote: “I grew up in an era when mainstream women’s magazines told girls they needed to be thinner and prettier. Now mainstream women’s magazines tell girls that men are better women than they are.”
In response to her transphobic views, Ericson’s official website states: “The author of the Harry Potter books is wildly transphobic and has contributed purposefully and relentlessly to a culture that demonises and dehumanises trans people.”
“The portraits destroy her work” – Ericson’s website on his art repurposing JK Rowling’s craft for trans good
About his work, the statement continues: “The portraits destroy her work, replacing it with a memorial to someone who lost their life to the culture fostered by the author.”
The website concludes: “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. Trans rights are human rights.”
One of the prints on sale for $100 depicts Ra’Lasia Wright, a 25-year-old transgender woman from Minneapolis, who was shot and killed in December 2024.
Wright was the 31st reported transgender or trans-expansive person killed in the US in 2024, and the third in Minneapolis.
Ericson’s work has garnered support worldwide, transforming something now tainted to some into something “powerful”.
“This is so good it gave me chills!” – a mother of a trans child praising Ericson’s artwork
One mother took to the comments section of one of his Instagram videos: “My daughter is a trans woman who grew up feeling different, and felt seen when reading the Harry Potter books.”
The message continued: “She was deeply heartbroken and made to feel hated by the Author Who Shall Not Be Named… this is so good it gave me chills! My husband said, ‘Now that’s powerful!’ Thank you!”
Another user wrote: “I cannot express how much I love this project. Turning hatred into trans positive art is everything.”
“To say goodbye but also to create something new and make meaning” – one online user congratulating Ericson’s craft
Professionals are also sending positive messages to the artist. One user claiming to be a licensed art therapist said: “As a licensed Art Therapist I absolutely love this and can appreciate the importance of dismantling the books as a way to say goodbye but also to create something new and make meaning.”
Another of Ericson’s recent works is of the late Sam Nordquist, a 25-year-old transgender man from Minnesota, who was allegedly killed by a group of seven people.
Ericson has stated that 20 percent of the proceeds from all current sales of the Nordquist print will go directly to Sam’s family.