20 Images from 'Forging Territories' With Legacy and Emerging Artists

"Forging Territories" is an art exhibit showcasing LGBTQ communities of color, featuring Patrisse Cullors of Black Lives Matter, the Whitney Biennial's Paul Mpagi Sepuya, and Rafa Esparza among 20 legacy, established, and emerging artists, curated by Queer Biennial founder Ruben Esparza.

As part of an ongoing pursuit of social justice and in response to today's cultural climate, San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) will host a new exhibit, "Forging Territories: Queer Afro and Latinx Contemporary Art" opening Saturday, June 29 and running through November 3, 2019. This thought-provoking installation will be among the first of its kind to explore and highlight conversations around underrepresented African-American and Latinx artists identifying as LGBTQ and, given the SDAI's location within the cultural crown jewel of San Diego, "Forging Territories" is positioned to leave a lasting mark on the millions who visit Balboa Park each year.

Purposefully launching only one day after the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, considered the seminal event leading to the modern LGBTQ movement, "Forging Territories" will showcase rarely-told stories of personal and cultural awakening. Forging Territories reflects artists' responses to a sense of identity and place, the influence of the current political moment and the comfort of shared background, language, and history.

"We're a mainstream arts institution that serves as a launching pad for artists to reach the national and international stage, so it is essential that we open the gate to marginalized artists to allow thousands of residents and visitors to Balboa Park the opportunity to see this important talent," said Jacqueline Silverman, Executive Director of SDAI.

"Forging Territories" is curated by Ruben Esparza, founder and director of the Queer Biennial, an international art fair anchored in Los Angeles with satellites in New York, Mexico, Miami, Paris, and Zurich. The exhibit will bring together 20 legacy, established, mid-career and emerging contemporary artists -- all who live within the region -- who work in such varied mediums as painting, drawing, photography, film and performance.

Discover San Diego Art Institute at 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, online at sandiego-art.org and on Instagram at @SanDiegoArtInstitute.

Ruben Esparza (b.1962) is a Los Angeles artist and curator. His work are a part of the permanent collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. Esparza is the founder and director of the Queer Biennial, an exhibition anchored in Los Angeles that surveys international queer and Latinx art. Grants and awards, include: Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles, National Endowment for the Arts, West Hollywood Arts, Tom of Finland Foundation, City of Los Angeles Mayor's Office.