I had the honor of spending a month as artist in residence at Elsewhere Museum in Greensboro, NC as part of their 2019 Philadelphia Exchange Fellowship.
My project, WELCOME, took the form of a mixed-media permanent installation incorporating a digital collage (inkjet print on vinyl); 85 x 54 inch mural and mosaic (mirror and assorted museum collection items); video; and short portrait photo series. The installation is a celebration and statement of queer visibility, inviting in community members to establish the museum as a place of queer gathering and becoming. By using bright, playful colors and fun textures, the project celebrates our collective abundance, power, and brilliance. By documenting and representing moments of vulnerability, playfulness and tenderness, the work rejects shame and upholds self-determination, self-love, and connection. Embedded objects from the collection honor the legacy of queers who have passed through and made an impact at Elsewhere. Stepping into the installation prompts viewers to reflect on how art institutions like Elsewhere can better answer the needs of QTPoC by providing paid residencies, allocating resources, and ensuring increasing influence within the museum.
Participants include Amelia Nura, Avery Rose, c. Michale, Cameron Brooks, Debbie the Artist, Ellen Farkas, Ero Rose, Faith Goodart, Janke, Jess Hoyle, Jon Pulse, Jonh Blanco, Josh Rath, Juju Holton, Leah Williams, Lex Costan, Meeka Davis-Dunning, Mindy Dunn, Ociele Hawkins, Parker Brookie, Riley Cox, Scratchy Reitterer, Shannel Arellano, Sosena Solomon, Thorne Myers, Yixuan Pan, and Zach Pfrimmer
Thank you to Jon Pulse, Avery Rose, Marie Alarcon and Gui Portel for additional support.
