Queer Latine/x Art as Activism
By Jay’la Teasly
Art is an extraordinary channel for conveying experiences that often elude language. It flows with a dynamic grace, making it the perfect medium for LGBTQ+ people to boldly celebrate their identities, vividly illustrate their internal worlds, and advocate for their communities. Following Latine/x Heritage Month, we will explore the intricate layers of queer Latine/x identities. Latine/x people harness the expressivity of art to elevate the visibility of their ancestral and contemporary cultures, all while spearheading transformative movements in immigration reform, LGBTQ+ rights, workers’ rights, and other struggles.
Beauty and Social Justice
Armando Sebastian’s painting When I have long hair (2017) depicts a stylized androgynous figure brushing their hair, which swirls around them and extends off the canvas. Hair holds ancestral significance among indigenous communities in Mexico City, Sebastian’s place of origin. It represents layers of cultural meaning and sanctity. The words tracing the flow of the hair are in both Spanish and English, articulating how Sebastian values the sacredness of his hair, finding it affirming and expressive of his identity. Sebastian’s works are introspective, figurative, and mystical, embodying the expansiveness of Latine/x, LGBTQ+, and intersecting identities.
Alexis Ruiseco-Lombera is a non-binary Cuban photographer, specifically a portraitist, who documents the culture and complexity of queer, trans, and non-binary people in Cuba. Their photography counteracts the machismo culture that has long cast shadows over Cuban society by denigrating femininity, sexuality, and gender-nonconforming identities. Ruiseco-Lombera’s Majas con Licra (2019) is a set of three portraits representing queer and gender-nonconforming Cuban identity, culture, and aesthetics. Each image is a bold celebration of identity and a powerful act of resistance, conveyed through the vivid relation of colors.
Armando Sebastian and Alexis Ruiseco-Lombera represent a profound and vibrant dimension of art that is deeply intertwined with their queer Latine/x identities. Their work reflects their identities in that they transcend conventional boundaries and serve as a testament to the beauty and activism within the LGBTQ+ Latine/x community. LGBTQ+ Latine/x artists heighten the visibility of their communities, forging pathways toward a more inclusive and equitable society. Their art is a reflection of their lived realities, a call to action, and a celebration of the unique and resilient spirit that defines the queer Latine/x community. In their work, we find inspiration, empowerment, and a reminder of the boundless potential of art as a catalyst for social transformation.
You Are the Artists and the Art!
The concept of art is expansive and has infinite mediums and manifestations. Art emerges as a conduit for activism and pride, transcending the limitations of language to vividly express the experiences of LGBTQ+ people. It provides a dynamic platform for queer voices to celebrate their identities, manifest their inner worlds, and address their oppression. You too have the right to create! As we celebrate Latine/x art, explore our identities, and support our communities, we should integrate art, in its many forms, into our self-expression and activism.
About the Author
Hello! My name is Jay’la Teasley (they/she), and I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in history with a concentration in identity, race, and religion. My studies have largely centered on the diverse constructions of gender and sexuality across cultures, space, and time. I will utilize my knowledge and experience to become a social worker who empowers marginalized communities and identities. I currently volunteer to create programming that strengthens the community of queer and non-conforming youth and college students.
