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In celebration of the monumental progress LGBTQ rights have made in the past few years, culminating with the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide this past June, the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center will present Queer WAH: Contemporary LGBTQ Artists throughout the month of October.
According to a statement released by WAH, the new exhibit is “aimed at examining and celebrating the contributions of queer artists to the contemporary art landscape.” To ring in the exhibit, WAH founder and artistic director Yuko Nii, along with exhibit curator Richard Sanchez, threw an opening reception Friday evening for the artists.
These artists gathered with the public over light refreshments in the exhibit’s large main room where their work—sculpture, photography, glass etching, and more—lined the walls and made for a colorful, diverse display of the varied ways in which individuals connect with their LGBTQ identities.
Sanchez commented, “I wanted to create a space that was open to all different types of people and experiences, while embodying WAH’s commitment to unity and harmony. After a big moment like marriage equality, we as a queer artistic community are still struggling with the same questions about our bodies and our place in the world, so I wanted to curate an exhibit that explores that questioning.”
For many of the artists, getting to showcase their work alongside other queer artists was an emboldening and eye-opening experience. “It’s incredibly exciting to be a part of this exhibit,” confided artist Elisabeth Jacobson. “This exhibit really opens us up to who we are. There is no prejudice. We’re all grappling with the same issues of love, identity, and sexuality.” Artist Liam Robert McDonald added, “It feels empowering to show my work here. I haven’t experienced anything like it. I’m excited to expose my work to the queer community.”
Jacobson and McDonald’s work, alongside the stunning work of their artistic LGBTQ peers, will be on display at WAH through November 1.
