Rosita Mariella Rosita is an art historian and researcher based in Madrid. She’s been working in the art market since 2015, for galleries and collections based in London, until she joined ARTSVP in 2021.
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Lukas Avedaño, Reflexions from Muxeidad, © Mario Patiño.
As rainbow flags adorn streets worldwide and vibrant parades fill the air with love, this month dedicated to pride celebrations reminds us of the ongoing fight for equal rights and recognition for the LGBTQ+ community. Amidst this vibrant atmosphere, art emerges as a powerful force in promoting inclusivity. Throughout history, artists have utilised their creative expressions to address political, social, and cultural issues. In the case of the LGBTQ+ community, art has played a vital role in illuminating their struggles, documenting their experiences, and amplifying their voices. Let's dive into the work of seven remarkable artists and explore the expressions that have contributed to the ongoing journey towards equality and acceptance.
Felix Gonzalez-Torres (1957-1996, Cuba/US)
Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s works reflected his experience as a gay man living during the height of the AIDS epidemic. Through his installations and sculptures, Gonzalez-Torres addressed themes of love, loss, and the political dimensions of queer identity. His work has become a powerful symbol of resilience and remembrance within the LGBT community.
Untitled (Blood), 1992, © Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Photo: Santi Caleca, Courtesy of The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Exhibition view, Where Are We Going?, Palazzo Grassi, Venice, April 29 - October 1 2006.
Check The Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation website to find out the artist’s ongoing exhibitions.
Lukas Avendaño (1982, Mexico)
Lukas Avendaño is a performance artist and activist who identifies as muxhe, a Zapotec term for individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities. Avendaño's work challenges traditional gender norms and highlights the experiences of muxhe individuals within indigenous communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. By using art as a platform for empowerment and visibility, Avendaño contributes to the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender and sexuality in Mexico and beyond.
Lukas Avedaño, Reflexions from Muxeidad, © Mario Patiño.
More information about the MUXX project commissioned by LACMA here.
Zanele Muholi (1972, South Africa)
Muholi's powerful portraits challenge social norms and seek to give visibility to marginalised communities. Through her work, focused on the experiences of black, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals, Muholi has become an advocate for the rights and recognition of the LGBT community in South Africa and beyond.
Zanele Muholi, Phaphama, at Cassilhaus, North Carolina, 2016, part of Somnyama Ngonyama. © Zanele Muholi. Courtesy of Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York.
Zanele Muholi new exhibition at Kunstmuseum Luzern opens next week 7 July 2023. Curated by Fanni Fetzer, Yasufumi Nakamori, Senior Curator, Tate Modern.
Guillermo Gómez-Peña (1955, Mexico)
Gómez-Peña's performances challenge cultural norms and question social hierarchies, addressing the experiences and struggles faced by queer individuals and communities. Through his provocative art, Gómez-Peña invites audiences to reflect on issues of migration, race, and sexuality and the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity.
Guillermo Gómez-Peña in a sample photo of La Pocha Nostra’s aesthetic in relation to their upcoming performance, “Enchilada Western: A Living Museum of Fetishized Identities.” Courtesy La Pocha Nostra Archives
Click here for more info on his upcoming events and exhibitions.
Nan Goldin (1953, US)
Nan Goldin is a renowned photographer known for her intimate and candid portraits that captured the LGBTQ+ community in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. Goldin's work not only documented the lives of her friends and chosen family, but also served as a powerful visual diary of the struggles and triumphs of the queer community during that era. Her photographs have become iconic representations of LGBT culture and history.
Nan Goldin, Misty and Jimmy Paulette in a taxi, NYC, 1991. From slideshow The Other Side, 1992–2021. © Nan Goldin.
Check her current show at the Stedelijk Museum through 28 Jan 2024.
Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989, US)
Mapplethorpe's provocative and often controversial photographies pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms, capturing the diversity and beauty of the LGBT community in a time when such visibility was limited. His photographs remain an important part of the LGBT artistic canon, sparking discussions about artistic freedom and censorship.
Robert Mapplethorpe, Two Men Dancing, 1984. © The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation.
Click here for more info on his upcoming events and exhibitions.
Carlos Motta (1978, Colombia)
A multidisciplinary artist whose work often examines historical narratives and representations of gender and sexuality. Carlo Motta's projects aim to challenge heteronormative structures and highlight the contributions and struggles of queer individuals throughout history. Through video, installation and performance, Motta fosters a dialogue about LGBTQ+ rights and representation, both within Colombia and internationally.
Carlos Motta, Corpo Fechado: The Devil’s Work, 2018, video.
Find out more about his recent show Stigmata at MAMBO (Bogotá).
Today, art continues to be an essential tool for raising awareness, combating discrimination, and promoting social change. Whether through visual arts, performance, or community-driven initiatives, artists from the LGBT community and allies alike are using their talents to champion equality and celebrate diversity. From Felix Gonzalez-Torres's poignant installations addressing the AIDS epidemic to Nan Goldin's intimate portraits documenting queer life in New York City, each artist has contributed to the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender and sexuality. Through their art, these artists have dismantled stereotypes, fostered visibility, and initiated crucial conversations. Their work stands as a testament to the resilience, beauty, and strength of the LGBTQ+ community and serves as an inspiration for future generations of artists and activists. As we celebrate pride and continue the fight for equality, let us remember the transformative power of art in creating a more inclusive and compassionate world for all.
Want to find out more about LGBTQ+ exhibitions and events in London? Check the link below.
Written by
Rosita Mariella
Rosita is an art historian and researcher based in Madrid. She’s been working in the art market since 2015, for galleries and collections based in London, until she joined ARTSVP in 2021.