Kai the Hyena is a collaborative art project between Chaco Iwase and Zhi Kai Vanderford. Zhi Kai (@freezhikai) is a trans artist and activist in Minnesota who has been incarcerated for the last 36 years since age 19, spending most of his sentence in women’s facilities until his transfer to a men’s facility. He will die in prison if he isn’t granted parole— his next hearing is in April 2026.
They have shared drawings, letters, and emails on JPay sharing their artistic interests and personal lives. Kai the Hyena was conceived when they discussed gender transitions of the tropical fish of Zhi Kai’s artwork, Androgyny Not an Anomaly.
Zhi Kai imagined a “touchable and cuddly” stuffed animal of a spotted hyena: “A female hyena is a perfect mascot for trans males because they are born with a pseudo-penis and scrotal sack that retract themselves. “Moreover, the Minnesota Department of Corrections has ignored Zhi Kai’s requests for bottom surgery, making him feel vulnerable and unsafe in the men’s facility.
In addition to the detachable penis, they included the strap-on because as Zhi Kai says, “Not everyone can afford or desire surgery. It is scary to risk all sexual sensations in an attempt to have different-looking genitalia. Strapping on appendages may be a nonsurgical option.” Kai the Hyena is a soft embodiment of Zhi Kai, who will hopefully connect with a sympathetic audience who can advocate for his freedom. They plan to use the metaphor of animals in zoos to reveal the inhumanity of the carceral system.
Project Chrysalis is a Let’s Get Free initiative to build community with the incarcerated transgender community in Pennsylvania, through letter-writing events and a social media campaign (@projectchrysalis.lgf). In early December 2025, the Department of Justice issued a memo ordering prison inspectors to stop considering LGBTQ safety standards and the tracking of anti-trans prison rapes, stating it conflicts President Donald Trump’s executive order from earlier this year.
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Image description: A stuffed animal of a hyena named Kai. He has a light beige body with dark brown patches, one of which is heart shaped. The toy features a rounded brown snout, black bead-like eyes with long, decorative eyelashes, and small rounded ears. A tuft of fur runs along its head and back, adding texture. The soft, stuffed legs are positioned to give the toy a standing appearance. The overall lighting gives it a warm, neutral tone. He has a purple leather vest, and satin underwear, a detachable penis, and purple dildo.