Sharing Moments

Frankie Elouise

My paintings serve as a visual exploration of my personal journey through gender and identity, drawing from both introspective discovery and social observations. I depict figures intertwined with physical elements, objects and spaces that have played significant roles in my own experiences with queerness and the process of un-learning heteronormativity. Figure painting allows me to experiment with distorting forms, faces and perspectives to emphasize certain emotions and capture moments of reflection. Through both personal and universal narratives, I confront and redefine traditional stories, creating a space for introspection and connection.

For Sharing Moments, I began to explore the freedom of embracing femininity within a loving and accepting queer relationship, emphasizing the intimate and nurturing elements. These moments feel more and more essential and powerful as capitalism continues to divide and individualize our society. The goal of this project is to promote visibility for healthy queer relationships, challenge stigma, and empower individuals through positive representation.

Unveiling Beyond The Counter

Justine Bui

I was told to stay out of the sun.

The same statement was said to other Asian adults and youth, yet our skin tone remains the same.

The prejudice that having lighter skin was better for education, careers, and relationships still has not changed. In many Asian countries such as Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, most individuals use some kind of skin lightening treatment to be perceived as having a better life overall, similar to their fair-skinned counterparts. However, these practices generate negative effects on each body, ranging from external rashes to internal organ damage, and very few have spoken about it.

As a multidisciplinary artist who focuses on colourism in Asian communities, I aim to raise awareness of the physical, mental, and social impacts that this discrimination leaves behind. Through installation art, sculptures, photography, and more, these artistic elements coincide to mobilize knowledge about how skin colourism affects our lives.

We are here now

Sara Mason

In my artistic exploration, I confront the marginalization of Queer existence, often pushed to the sidelines of history and art. While portrait painting has a rich tradition dating back ages, queer lives have been largely absent from its narrative. I strive to rectify this omission by placing Queer individuals at the forefront of my work.

Utilizing acrylics and employing an abstract brushstroke style, I merge classical techniques with contemporary sensibilities. Through this fusion, I aim to disrupt conventional representations and offer a platform for Queer visibility and celebration. My portraits challenge the historical erasure of Queer identities, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities and nuances of the Queer experience. In this way, my art becomes a vessel for empowerment, reclaiming space and spotlighting the diverse and vibrant spectrum of queer lives.

“We are here now” is a powerful series of acrylic portrait paintings on wooden boards, showcasing diverse Queer individuals. Through vivid brushstrokes and intimate portrayal, this exhibition aims to amplify Queer voices, reclaiming public spaces for representation and visibility.

By bringing these vibrant identities to the forefront of public art, we challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and affirm the presence and importance of Queer communities. Let's amplify Queer narratives and make a bold statement: We are here now.

In-comunicado

Solana Morante

While generally exploring the body, gender, sexuality and identity, Solana’s work is positioned more concentratedly to query the dichotomous, often porous –– or even simultaneous –– realities existent in opposing dynamics such as: inward/outward, male/female, movement/stillness, moment/eternity, fugitive/accessible, group/individual, alone/together, and desire/desirability.

Often optimistically entangled, her work attempts to make explicit the liminal: highlighting it's inherent fugitivity and queerness in continuation with Trans being and existence within late-stage colonial capitalism.