Queer Love is Old, Now, and New: Celebrating Queer Artistry and Enduring Legacy
This Oakland Orgullo, Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples provides an opportunity to reflect on and uplift queer existence and relationship. Calli, is a powerfully expressive artistic dialogue of self-determination that foregrounds queer, Xicanx-Indigenous, and feminist perspectives that open up new visions of a collective future. A significant theme that gives shape to this exhibition that features so many queer artists, is the assertion that queerness is far from a modern trend or fad, but has significant precedence and is a given in the future. This piece will take a dive into the larger context behind three queer artists featured in Calli, Manuel Paul, Joey Terrill, and rafa esparza, whose works are an exploration of identity, love, and history and contribute to a collective tugging of queer existence and perspective from the margins.
Manuel Paul: A Tribute to Everlasting Queer Love
Artist Manuel Paul is known for his queer works that are influenced by low-rider art, swap meets, vintage Low-rider, Teen Angel, and Street Beat magazines.
His piece, R.I.P – In Loving Memory is a poignant celebration of queer love that transcends the time and place of the present moment. The work memorializes a tender love and embrace between two men who are driven off into the Los Angeles horizon on the flatbed of a pickup truck.
Paul’s reference to Castilian roses, which historically were used as evidence of the miraculous reappearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, adds a layer of deep symbolism to the artwork. Here, the roses serve as a testament to the enduring nature of queer love and existence. They act as a proof not just of the presence of such love in the world but of its transcendence into the realm beyond. Paul’s work is a heartfelt memorial to the way queer affection persists and evolves, transcending the limitations of the present moment.
Joey Terrill: The Personal and Political in Still-Life
In 1989, Joey Terrill’s life was forever changed with his HIV diagnosis. By 1997, after beginning a trial for the HIV medication Crixivan, he embarked on the creation of his Still-Life series. These paintings offer a glimpse into the life of a gay Chicano person navigating the complexities of living with HIV/AIDS.
Terrill’s work utilizes rasquachismo, an aesthetic tradition that redefines mundane objects with new, significant meanings. His paintings, centered on everyday items and HIV medications, critique the pharmaceutical industry’s commercialization of life-saving drugs. Through a vibrant pop aesthetic and collage techniques, Terrill queers everyday objects, challenging the taboos surrounding gay male sexuality during the AIDS epidemic.
His art serves as a powerful celebration of survival and resilience. It acknowledges the struggles of those who lived through a time of intense fear and stigma while also honoring the pleasure and desire that persisted despite societal pressures. Terrill’s Still-Life series not only highlights the personal impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis but also celebrates the community’s enduring strength and vitality.
rafa esparza: Unearthing the Subterranean
rafa esparza’s “Dispatches de Abajo” invites us to consider the ground beneath our feet as a realm rich with meaning and history.
His installation explores the concept of archaeology not just as a practice of uncovering physical artifacts from the ground, but as a way of interacting with the realm that is the ground. And in particular, this realm, the ground is responsible for both sustaining and decomposing life and as such has a deep temporal landscape of human existence.
Esparza’s use of adobe in his paintings and sculptures is both innovative and evocative. The adobe materials, steeped in the earth’s history, are transformed into contemporary art that speaks to both ancient and modern contexts. By juxtaposing artifacts and creating immersive installations, esparza allows us to experience the deep, often forgotten narratives that lie beneath the surface.
His work is a profound meditation on temporality and the relationship between the visible and invisible realms. Through the adobe sculptures— replicas of extracted objects— and tectonic sounds of his installation, esparza bridges the gap between past and present, inviting viewers to reflect on their own place within the broader continuum of time.
Honoring Legacy Through Art
The works of Manuel Paul, Joey Terrill, and rafa esparza each contribute to a rich tapestry of queer art and cultural memory. By exploring themes of love, identity, and historical consciousness, these artists not only deepen our understanding of the queer experience but also offer powerful reflections on the human condition.
As we celebrate their contributions, we are reminded of the enduring power of art to transcend time, challenge conventions, and illuminate diverse and vibrant narratives. Each piece stands as a testament to the resilience, beauty, and complexity of queer life and history, ensuring that these stories continue to resonate and inspire across generations. Be sure to check out Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples to see more impactful queer artists.
Later in 1965, frustrated by the exclusion of gay people from traditional charity organizations, Sarria also founded the Imperial Court System, an organization with chapters all over the world that provides a platform for drag performers to raise funds for charitable causes. The Imperial Court system is the oldest LGBTQ+ charitable organization in existence.
See these impactful works in our Special Exhibition, Calli: The Art of Xicanx Peoples.
More FROM OUR GALLERY
