Thursday, June 23, 2022

Gabriel Garcia Roman: Queer Icons
ArtRage Gallery

Price: Free
ArtRage Gallery
505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and raised in Chicago, this now-New York City based artist, Gabriel García Román began his ongoing "Queer Icons" series in 2011. This portrait series honors members of the Queer Trans community of Color, specifically activists, community organizers, poets and artists; members of the community that are doing the work and bringing attention to issues that affect the QTPoC community.

These images give visibility to a population that's generally under-represented in the art world. Finding inspiration in portraiture styles of Renaissance, Flemish, and Christian Orthodox paintings, the series aims to elevate these multi-dimensional, powerful and proud contemporary figures. From the queer Latina fighting for immigration rights to the non-binary disabled Trans Filipino, the artist perceives these figures as heroes in their own right.

Applying a chine-collé technique to the photogravure process, the artist transmutes his subjects into icons, dovetailing textured collage and photography into one-of-a-kind prints.