Drawing on Queer Historical past, Moises Salazar Glamorizes Faceless Figures in Glitter — Colossal



Artwork
Social Points

#activism
#identification
#Moises Salazar
#portraits
#textiles

Glitter has a deep connection to queer tradition and identification. Showing in drag performances within the early twentieth century, the glowing materials shortly turned related to gender-bending, and immediately, it’s incessantly utilized in protest and activist circles advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.

Moises Salazar references this historical past and their Mexican heritage by mixed-media portraits. Rendering faceless figures in glitter—a selection that enables every topic to be a surrogate for queer Latinx individuals—Salazar depicts scenes of pleasure, confidence, and defiance as they current figures who’re tender however resolute. The portraits typically have an autobiographical bent, rising from the artist’s connection to Chicago’s queer neighborhood and originating with depictions of their very own physique.

Drawing on craft traditions, the luxurious mixture of fake fur, sequins, and acrylic paint nested inside crocheted yarn frames feeds into the ostentatious nature of those works, dovetailing with Salazar’s insistence that the themes are revered and celebrated. In an interview with The Latinx Challenge, they are saying of their materials decisions:

I like feeling glamorous, and I feel that’s one thing common. No matter gender, age, and sexual expression, all of us love feeling our greatest, and that’s what I’m attempting to precise in my work. As kids, I feel we’re taught to not stand out or trigger consideration to ourselves, however I feel we should always do the other. That’s why I put a lot emphasis on making a tactile expertise. I would like my work to face out, and I pull out all of the stunts to do it. I’m an individual that if I’m requested, “Don’t you think that’s too much?,” I add twenty new issues.

Salazar’s portraits are on view for In My Arms by July 27 at Epiphany Middle for the Arts in Chicago. Discover extra of their work on Instagram.

“Trans World #2” (2022), glitter on canvas, yarn, sequin, 62 x 35 x 2.5 inches

“All Alone” (2022), glitter on canvas, yarn, sequin, 49 x 29 x 2.5 inches

“En Esta Noche” (2022), glitter and oil on panel, sequin, yarn, 42 x 25 x 2.5 inches

“Yo Soy Una Mujer” (2022), glitter on canvas, yarn, sequin, 62 x 35 x 2.5 inches

“Social,” glitter, acrylic, material on canvas, yarn

#activism
#identification
#Moises Salazar
#portraits
#textiles

Do tales and artists like this matter to you? Turn out to be a Colossal Member immediately and help impartial arts publishing for as little as $5 per 30 days. You will join with a neighborhood of like-minded readers who’re captivated with up to date artwork, learn articles and newsletters ad-free, maintain our interview collection, get reductions and early entry to our limited-edition print releases, and rather more. Be part of now!