Celebrate Queer and Trans Magic
I had the most deliciously queer and trans weekend, and I wanted to share about it with you all as it was deep medicine for me, and I hope it will be for you too!
Standing in front of my artwork KauyumariTatewari with Thaddeus Pedisich and Kira Xonorika. Photo by curator Steve Galindo.
On Friday, I attended the grand opening of the exhibition Queering Digital, co-curated by Jamison Edgar and Steve Galindo, at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. As a side note, I was so excited to find out that they used my artwork as a part of the billboard advertising for this exhibition on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
My artwork KauyumariTatewari, originally part of my solo exhibition Perpetual Flowering, was projected alongside a stunning array of installation pieces, video works, textiles, live sculptures, and more. A huge congratulations to all of the artists involved in the exhibition!
Above are a few photographs I captured during the opening, featuring works by Ibuki Kuramochi, Kira Xonorika, Sammie Veeler, Nat Decker, and Vita Kari.
Saturday, I was invited by curator Quetzal Arévalo to help open the closing party for the exhibition Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-Nation at the Fisher Museum of Art at USC.
I began the event with a Plant Spirit Ceremony, performed two songs, and encouraged attendees to connect while enjoying lemon balm tea or homemade Florida Water spray.
Plant Spirit Ceremony photo by Jamie Ross.
This unforgettable event featured world-renowned theremin virtuoso Armen Ra, DJ Silver's eclectic soundscapes, and curator-led tours by Alexis Bard Johnson.
Live tarot readings were offered by witch Jen De La Rosa and pagan prison chaplain Jamie Ross, with occult books from Bibliomancer Books and Camp Books. There was even a custom buttons art-making station and a nice array of food and drinks.
The exhibition Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-Nation looked at the importance of science fiction fandom and occult interests to U.S. and Southern California LGBTQ history. It was curated by ONE Archives at the USC Libraries and presented at the USC Fisher Museum of Art. In partnership with Getty PST Art & Science Collide.
Posing joyously next to the artist Jamie Ross who was offering tarot card readings at the closing event for the Fisher Museum of Art’s exhibition Sci-Fi, Magick, Queer L.A.: Sexual Science and the Imagi-Nation.
Shortly after this wonderful queer af event at the Fisher Museum of Art, I was able to make my way to the Central Library in Downtown Los Angeles and attend a talk by author and researcher Oliver L. Haimson for the book launch of Trans Technologies published by MIT Press.
Two key themes that emerged are the ways trans people consistently support each other during difficult times and when other systems fail or actively undermine us and also the ambivalence with which we use technologies and/or experience the world. This made me think a lot about my fraught and mixed relationship with social media and with my decision to “Quiet Quit Instagram,” as well as with the way so many queer and trans people use online spaces to connect often unsure if we are exposing ourselves to more harm than good by doing so.
I’m grateful to have been interviewed by Oliver for this beautiful book and to have my project, the Queer Trans and Gender Variant Ancestors Project, highlighted in it. This project features conversations with Michael Espinoza, Bunny Michael, Charlie Amáyá Scott, and Jobis Shosho.
Oliver L. Haimson speaking at the Central Library about his book Trans Technologies.
This connection between technology, community support, and ancestral wisdom has been on my mind lately, especially after my recent conversation with Reina Prado on my podcast "Your Art Is A Spell." Reina spoke so powerfully about Santa Perversa and the importance of opening ourselves to divine and ancestral guidance.
As Reina shared her experiences, I found myself reflecting on our queer and trans ancestors—how they too navigated complex systems, created community in hostile environments, and sought connection through whatever means were available to them. There's something profound about the way we continue to seek and create spaces for community across time, whether through ritual practices like those Reina describes or through the digital technologies that both connect and complicate our lives today.
These parallel conversations—one about ancestral wisdom and divine connection, another about technology and community support—remind me that our struggles and triumphs as queer and trans people exist on a continuum. We've always found ways to reach each other across barriers, whether spiritual or technological, always with that characteristic ambivalence that comes from creating spaces of joy and connection within systems not designed for us. Please watch the full conversation with Reina below or listen to it anywhere you get your podcasts!
On Sunday, I was grateful to enjoy a relaxing day of art seeing, yummy food, and lounging with a couple of friends. I visited the incredibly stunning exhibitions at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park and am sharing a couple of photos of the artworks currently on display. I highly recommend you check out this exhibition and the other exhibitions mentioned in this blog post.
Above is artwork by Jen Stark, Amir Fallah, Edie Fake, Suhn Lee, and Danila Cervantes.
Detail of painting by Alexandra Grant
Resonant Transmissions
I also enjoyed seeing the gorgeous solo exhibition ceremony of artist Alexandra Grant at John Wolf in the arts district of Los Angeles this past week. I was so profoundly moved by the maximalist approach, which, of course, I resonate with so much as an artist, as well as her use of multiple techniques in one painting, her use of words in her paintings, and the hope, care, and attention to detail she imbues her art with.
Above some snapshots I took while I visited the exhibition that I’m so happy to share with you all!
The first event in the new River Session series, Kiki’ing by the River, will be led by artist, educator and storyteller Salvador de la Torre. Join us for a reflective workshop of meditation, journaling and drawing along Paayme Paxaayt (LA River).
De la Torre will guide the session to invite participants to find a haven by the river, and reflect upon queerness as naturally occurring wherever we look. The workshop will be followed by a conversation between de la Torre and curator Juan Silverio. Paper and pencils will be supplied at the start of the session. Participants are welcome to bring their own sketchbooks and journals.
📍 Elysian Valley Gateway Park
📅 April 5 | 2pm-5pm
🎟️ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/river-session-haven-by-the-river-with-salvador-de-la-torre-tickets-1248895111899?aff=oddtdtcreator
#LARiver #LosAngeles #RiverSessions #PaaymePaxaayt #thingstodoinlosangeles #artist #arts #meditation #mindfulness
(source)
Last, but definitely not least, I wanted to write about a deeply concerning situation at Columbia University. On March 8, 2025, Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, was detained by the Department of Homeland Security amid the State Department's plans to deport students involved in pro-Palestine protests. I urge you all to sign this petition below demanding Khalil's immediate release and the reversal of Columbia's new protocol allowing ICE on campus without warrants. This detention appears to be part of a pattern targeting Khalil for his Palestinian identity and his prominent role in Gaza solidarity movements, including last spring's encampment where he served as lead negotiator. This troubling case represents the dangerous intersection of educational institutions cooperating with federal agencies against student activists expressing political views.
Click here to sign a petition to demand the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil.