Meet the Artist: Gabriel Bennett Lovejoy

Meet Gabriel Bennett Lovejoy, artist and creator of man made // made man

Gabriel Bennett Lovejoy is an artist who makes you feel things deeply, then invites you to sit with them a little longer. His upcoming queer zine, man* made // made man*, is a visual conversation about identity, memory, and what it means to take up space as a trans person in this world. It’s bold, intimate, and entirely unique.

Gabriel’s creative process is rooted in feeling first. A song on loop, a moodboard full of images, a moment of inspiration from a scene in a show. He makes art because someday, someone might find a piece of it and remember that trans people have always been here.

We sat down with Gabriel to talk about his inspirations, his love of mixed media, singing in the shower, and why bleaching your own hair really well might be its own kind of superpower.

Who inspired you to make art?

Not so much a who, but knowing in 100 years something I’ve created might still be out there. It feels important to create, so people remember that trans folk have always and will always be here… But also my art teacher in high school. She was the only one that really believed back then that I could do something good.

What is your creative process like?

A lot of pinterest boards and playlists. I take a lot of inspiration and imagery from media I’m currently consuming. It’s hard for me to picture things in my head, but sometimes a song will spark creativity and I have to have it on loop until I’m done making.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

I think it’d be really sick to get to make cover art for someone like Chappell Roan or Sleigh Bells. Just anyone that’s inspired my creative process before, that’d be cool.

What is one message you’d give to the readers?

You can quite literally do almost anything you imagine. Even if it takes time and a lot of work… Also you don’t get something unless you ask, and if people see the passion in your asking they’re more likely to support your cause. So I guess that’s two things and you’re getting a bargain!

What is the most useless talent you have?

I don’t think it’s so much a talent I guess… My barber always tells me how healthy my hair is, especially with all the bleach in it. Like is always stunned how well I do it myself. So I guess bleaching hair?

Do you sing in the shower, if so what songs?

Right now it’s my setlist for Trans Pride Scotland. It’s a surprise, but it’s camp. I don’t just sing in the shower, I perform.

What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t your creative career?

I used to religiously watch NCIS with my grandma when I was wee, I remember when I was 7 I told my family I wanted to be a forensic photographer. So probably that!

How do you feel the internet has impacted the creative industry?

I think there’s an oversaturation of really basic trends… It’s really difficult for a lot of people to break through the algorithm too. I’m bad for comparing myself to everyone I follow, I forget we’re all doing different things at different paces and that’s okay. But I also wouldn’t have gotten half the opportunities I have without the internet. Everything is posted online now, there’s 100 new open calls every day… It does feel overwhelming a lot of the time. But it’s nice to find community too. It’s nice to put this zine online for everyone to access all across the globe.

What’s your favourite medium to create in?

I’m a maximalist, so mixed media. I love making large scale mixed media work. Lots of illustration, collage, text, painting… I want it to overwhelm you. I want it to be dissected.

What’s next for you?

July 1st is when we publish, but up until then… So many things! I’m speaking in parliament about trans healthcare, performing at Trans Pride Scotland, and waiting patiently to hear back from open calls for exhibitions and residencies. The world’s my oyster. So… everything really!

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In a time when trans stories are often erased or diluted, Gabriel’s work insists on visibility. His zine is full of softness and sharp edges, moments that ache and moments that shine. It’s built from lived experience, but it reaches far beyond one person — it’s for anyone who’s ever tried to build themselves from the ground up, who’s ever felt othered and still created something beautiful anyway.

You can view and support man* made // made man* here: https://www.apolloimperium.com/man-made-zine

If it moves you, share it. Pass it on. Let it start a conversation. Let it be a reminder that queer creativity isn’t going anywhere, it’s growing, glowing, and ready to be seen.