EXHIBITION REVIEW: HARTFORD ARTSPACE GALLERY’S “WE WILL NOT BE ERASED”
EXISTENCE IS A REVOLUTION.
June marks Pride Month and with it comes a slew of rainbow-washing and hollow corporate statements. When policies and legislation attack and threaten the lives of queer people everyday, Pride Month can feel like an empty gesture. Celebrating queerness is not limited to thirty days, but is a lifelong pursuit to keep queerness alive and visible in a society that wishes otherwise.
Hartford ArtSpace Gallery’s latest exhibition “We Will Not Be Erased” is a visual celebration and testament to the LGBTQ community. For those unfamiliar with the gallery, this show is a wonderful introduction. Upon entry, visitors are welcomed into a lovely bright space, which is now decorated with a cacophony of vibrant work. The show, which is curated by Amanda Mendoza and Gyllian Cruz, features a plethora of different mediums from photography and painting to embroidery and sculpture. The variety of mediums demonstrate the diversity of the queer community, acknowledging the differences in our lived experiences, while amplifying our collective dedication to being out and proud.
“We Will Not Be Erased” showcases local artists such as Hartford-based visual artist Jasmine Holmes, Hendrick Xiong, Julia Genzano, Samuel Avery and Franklin Silva as well as contributions from the curators themselves, truly making this a show for and by the community. At a time when to be openly and visibly queer can be dangerous, the powerful exhibition reminds us of not only our resilience, but our joy. “We Will Not Be Erased” is a visual declaration that the queer people have and will always be here.
Hartford ArtSpace Gallery will be hosting the closing reception for “We Will Not Be Erased” on Thursday, June 26th at 6pm to 8pm.
