May 30 – September 7, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 7pm to 9pm
Bakersfield Museum of Art
1930 R St. Bakersfield CA 93301
‘Resonantly Me’ features works showcasing the vibrant creativity and unique perspectives of California-based LGBTQIA+ artists. Diverse in style, tone, and subject matter these images highlight the human experience through the queer lens underscoring how their stories play a crucial role in shaping today’s culture. California’s rich history as a major site for LGBTQ+ community, culture, and politics consistently works in tandem with the mission of the art world to utilize fine art as a collaborative experience where the dialogue between artist and viewer brings forth new perspectives and emotional resonance. This empowering showcase will uplift visitors who identify as queer, as well as those who often feel like outsiders within their own communities.
Participating artists in "Resonantly Me" include Donald Bradford, J Carino, Enrique Castrejon, Eli Cather, Luis Felipe Chávez, Ben Cuevas, Rakeem Cunningham, Ruben Esparza, Rebecca Farr, C Fodoreanu, Gabriel Garbow, David Gordon, Chuck Hohng, Carl Hopgood, Chase Irvin, Louis Jacinto, Jason Jenn, Alma Landeta, Ahn Lee, Michelle Jane Lee, Edmund Liang, David Ligare, Humberto Maldonado, Zära Monet, John T.D. Murphy, Ramekon O’Arwisters, Alisyn Palla, Elizabeth Patterson, Vojislav Radovanovic, Lucky Rapp, Yunfei Ren, Christian Rogers, Marshall Sharpe, Suzanne Shifflett, Joey Terrill, Eric Theodore, Brea Weinreb, Tanya Wischerath, Kristen Wong, and Jun Yang.
I am deeply honored to announce my participation in the upcoming exhibition at the Bakersfield Museum of Art this May. Curator Victor Gonzales has invited me to be a part of his newest curatorial project, titled 'Resonantly Me.' Among the diverse array of talented California-based LGBTQIA+ artists featured, I am thrilled that my painting, 'Wrecks Tremendae,' has been selected to be showcased. Huge thanks to the curator and the museum for this beautiful show. Can't wait for this show.
"Wrecks Tremendae" is a deeply personal exploration confronting emotional and societal impacts and portrayals of queerness. It features an oversized toy dinosaur amidst ruined toy buildings reminiscent of a war zone. The dinosaur, depicted in a rage with smoke emanating from its mouth, symbolizes the demonization of the queer community as a destructive force and the internalized feelings when queer identification is so misaligned and misunderstood. This portrayal reflects the frustration and injustice felt by many within the queer community, who are unjustly accused, attacked, and scapegoated. It underscores a deeper issue within patriarchal culture, where queer individuals are unfairly blamed for societal problems beyond their control. By juxtaposing the dinosaur's destruction with the oppressive structures/architecture of patriarchy, "Wrecks Tremendae" urges viewers to critically examine the root causes of discrimination and advocate for systemic change. The title is a play on words, paying homage to Mozart’s Requiem and the latin meaning of Rex Tremendae (King of tremendous majesty).
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