Smiles Meyer Recasts Leonardo's Last Supper With Trans Models in "The First Gathering"

In 2024, Los Angeles-based photographer and musician Smiles Meyer presented "The First Gathering," a reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" (1495–98) featuring trans models. This initiative aligns Meyer with a tradition of queer and trans artists, such as Elizabeth Ohlson Wallin, who have also reimagined scenes from the Last Supper. Previously, Meyer created works like the Mary + I cover and nightclub exorcism photos for performance artist Maris, exploring themes of religious trauma and gender identity. Growing up in San Diego, California, Meyer initially wanted to be a poet but faced severe depression after coming out as queer at 18. They began photography in 2018, evolving from collages to single impactful images, influenced by Judith Butler's writings on cisgender divinity and the creative power of trans individuals.