Bianca - Artist, Activist and Advocate Fundraiser

It is with profound sadness that I share this with you.

Some of you knew her as Bianca/Brooke or B, some knew her by another name and identity (we respectfully ask that her “deadname identity” not be used), or maybe you never had the good fortune to know her.

Coming out as transgender was an act of strength and incredible courage.  B was becoming more confident in letting the world see her, however, we also sometimes struggled as a family to navigate who to tell and what to say to folks without facing judgement. We gave nothing but support at home and many of you did the same, it’s the world outside that can be cruel.  That’s the reality of coming out.  She wanted me to be cautious with people whom I told and I honored that. Now it is my hope that sharing her story might shine a light and help other LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth, be accepted. 


Bianca Console, much loved daughter, sister, grandchild, niece, cousin, and friend left this earthly home on July 1, 2020.  Her heart radiated love, acceptance, kindness and generosity.


An extraordinary artist, she was a student at Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, majoring in Illustration.  Her art work explores themes of empowerment in the face of persecution, false perceptions, self-determination of identity and hope for a prosperous future. Her work is whimsical yet surreal, complex, humorous and dark. She took inspiration from sci-fi, Afro-futurism, steampunk/urban fantasy, drag and ballroom culture, queer history/civil rights and trippy psychological horror.  Through her art work she aspired to be a trendsetter and a force for inspiration in the transgender/queer community.  She headed Moore Trans Pride, a committee under Moore Pride! and was a member of MOSAIC - a diversity group at Moore where she helped organize Trans Day of Remembrance and Coming Out Day.


Bianca volunteered at the Barnes Foundation Saturday Family Arts Lab and The Free Library of Philadelphia, was a member of the William Way Community Center Arts Committee and participated in Deadname Arts Collective - an art collective in Philadelphia for transgender and non-binary individuals.

She was an assistant to Wit Lopez at Till Arts Project, a grassroots organization which provides safe spaces and resources for LGBTQ+ artists and creators, she was an intern at NextFab, a maker space in Philadelphia. She also owned and operated an Etsy Shop for a prehistoric original trading card game called The Past Happened.

 

Exhibits include:

Haddon Fortnightly - 2017

Tattooed Mom - 2018

Vox Populi - 2018

TO BELONG EXHIBIT at Philadelphia City Hall - 2019

Moore College of Art and Design - 2018 through 2020


A young and strong voice in the transgender community she advocated for fellow trans folx, took every opportunity to learn to help elevate her own voice and of others - especially trans women of color.  She encouraged others to educate themselves to help ensure the world would be better, more respectful and inclusive for transgender folx, the larger LGBTQ+ community and other people in the margins of society.


Bianca’s death has been a devastating blow to the family and all who knew and loved her giving, fierce yet gentle spirit. To continue and honor her work as an artist, activist and advocate Olivia and I are fundraising for either a scholarship for transgender students, or to make a donation to a transgender community organization for young artists in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. We will announce the recipient organization once we have decided.


We are very grateful to everyone who has shown us so much love and support.  Denise and Olivia


“Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” Rabindranath Tagorehttps://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/50233360_1596729832755676_r.jpeg"