Just Talplacido Shoulder

Also known as Phasmahammer, their practice is an eco-cosmology of alter personas based on queered ancestral myth. Creatures birthed are embodied through hand crafted costumes and prosthesis and animated by their own gestural languages. The artist uses their body and craft as an instrument of metaphysics towards a queer Filipinx Futurism. 

Shoulder believes in performance and shared ceremony as communal medicine for difficult times. 

Shoulder is a founding member of queer artist collective The Glitter Militia with partner and key collaborator Matthew Stegh. Over 12 years, they co-created a series of events including Monsta Gras with Penelope Benton, an annual artist ball that aimed to reinvigorate the artistic and political intentions of the 78ers; and a politicised avant-garde community-led incubator for performance, music, visual art and dance for local and international LGBTQIA+ artists 2008-2020.

Shoulder is also co-director of collective Club Ate with artist Bhenji Ra. Inspired by their shared Filipinx heritage and interest in creating new narratives of motherhood and sisterhood, the pair created a series of fundraisers, balls, and variety nights inviting and celebrating their local Asia-Pacific queer and trans family.

Shoulder’s theatre and visual art works have been presented across Australia and internationally in gallery, nightclub, and theatre contexts.

New work has been commissioned recently for NIRIN Sydney Bienalle 2020, The National Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2021 and film work Ang Idol Ko, for MCA, Sydney / UCCA DUNE, Beidaihe, China 2022.