Bernal Connect’s Post

In recent years, Latino artists have emerged as powerful voices in the realm of public art. 🖼️ They transform urban landscapes with vibrant murals, thought-provoking sculptures, and interactive installations. After all, these artists draw upon their rich cultural heritage and diverse experiences to create works that resonate with communities, celebrate identity, and provoke meaningful dialogue. By infusing public spaces with their unique perspectives, Latino artists not only redefine the aesthetic of cities but also foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Latino culture and history. Their contributions are reshaping public art, making it more inclusive, dynamic, and reflective of the multicultural fabric of society: Find out who they are: https://hubs.la/Q02BW_lp0 #HispanicExecMag

I have co-edited my first special edition journal for Art and the Public Sphere called, Queer(ing) Art, Curation and Collaboration with my partner Dr Chris Green. The overall aim of the issue is to explore current trends in queer art, curatorial practice and forms of collaboration. The articles in this issue draw on international perspectives that provide the reader with global approaches to the topics in question. You can have a read of our introductory essay below, where you can also get access to the rest of the journal. https://lnkd.in/edZCJcyF

New article - by me - out for the University Observer! What do I talk about: Public Art, and how and why, by its nature, this type of art is prone to be a vessel for activism. I also bring some example of queer public art, focusing in the last part of the article specifically on initiatives of public queer art in Dublin. “It could be argued that public art is the most anarchic of all; unlike other forms of art which are often institutionalised by being put in museums, public art is freely accessible and enjoyable to everyone. It escapes the necessary monetisation of experience derived from capitalism.” https://lnkd.in/es4qVT5d

Learn more the #restoration updates and what's next for the Castro Theatre in the link below!

🌍 A War on the Past: The Creeping Politicisation of Museums 🏛️ In this thought-provoking piece by Jacob Atkinson, published on Outlander Odyssey, we delve into the shifting role of museums in today’s world. Are these institutions merely keepers of history, or are they increasingly used as platforms for political narratives? From curatorial challenges to funding pressures, this article uncovers the balancing act museums must perform in a landscape of evolving expectations. 🔗 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/ewepM92F Join the conversation: What role do you believe museums should play in society? #Museums #CulturalHeritage #HistoryMatters #PublicPolicy #MuseumStudies #PoliticalInfluence #OutlanderOdyssey #JacobAtkinson #ArtAndPolitics

What can be the role of artists in activism? How an the arts shift perspectives to achieve political objectives (even when everything else has failed)? These are just some of the questions we will explore in the workshop „Powerful Art in Activism“ today, 17-19 pm CET. You can still register last minute and join us! 🙏🤲 One Resilient Earth https://lnkd.in/eijSFCPk

  At the Salzburg Global Seminar session ‘On the Front Lines: Artists at Risk, Artists who Risk’, in March 2023, fifty artists, activists and representatives from supporting organisations hailing from forty countries created the Salzburg Statement on Supporting Artists on the FrontLine. https://lnkd.in/esnG7Hdc https://lnkd.in/eZfKxRd2   The Statement is a concise document including definitions of artists at risk, artists who are persecuted due to their artwork, artists as activists or human rights defenders. It includes considerations and reflections for and on those who support art and artists at risk such as policymakers, funders, institutions, organisations in both arts and human rights sectors. The Statement clearly outlines demands and recommendations as well as a three-point call for action by the end of 2025 on the part of policymakers, funders, stakeholders and networks.    “Wherever they are, artists at risk deserve support: to continue their work, to study, develop, create, produce and distribute their work, and for their work to be documented”   We ask you to support this initiative, take it to your policymakers, funders, stakeholder organisations, associations and networks, discuss it, distribute it and most of all, to demand discussions of it at conferences and meetings through 2024 with the aim to realize its vision.   DOWNLOAD HERE: https://lnkd.in/eV85iazs #Artivism #artistsatrisk #culturalrights #artsandculture #freedomofexpression #culturaldiversity #humanrights

Last Wednesday at the Museums Association Conference, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking panel discussion on the progress and challenges within the Anti-Racist Museums Programme. The session delved deeply into the sector's journey beyond traditional equality, diversity, and inclusion frameworks, making a compelling case for museums to adopt a proactive, anti-racist approach. There was an emphasis on both individual responsibility and systemic change—reminding us that transforming institutions requires everyone’s commitment. One of the challenges that stood out to me is how board members and museum managers with traditional views on what a museum "should" be, and who do not keep updated on modern museum practices, can adapt this approach to their organisation. This session left me reflecting on my own role in this journey, as a mixed-race white and Pakistani museum professional. How can I contribute to creating truly inclusive spaces in the work I do? Especially working in a predominantly white community stepped in industrial history. How can our sector sustain momentum and turn these important conversations into tangible change? One of the key emphasises was how becoming an anti-racist institution is an emotional journey with one's self. In order to be able to think openly and imagine an anti-racist world, we must first engage in reflection about our own identities and why we feel the way we do. Only then can we understand the changes we need to make to dismantle racism in the cultural sector. https://lnkd.in/ehGAydrT #Museums2024 #AntiRacistMuseums #MuseumsAssociation #ChangeMakers

My drawing ‘Queer Elements’ created for Qtopia and my exhibition ‘We’re Here, We’re Queer’ now has prints available for sale through my gallery m. The initial concept for this work came from former head curator Liz Bradshaw and 50% of profits go towards Qtopia’s seed fund. Ever wondered what the + symbol at the end of LGBTQIA+ stands for? Queer Elements transforms the scientific periodic table into a rainbow of colours, words, flags and symbols, encompassing the A to Z of LGBTQIA+ terminology, vernacular, slang and communities. The artwork fuses art and science, employing the periodic table structure to create a diagram of queer culture through language. Arranged alphabetically, Each ‘element’ is a specific term, slang word or subgroup within the LGBTQIA+ community, alongside their corresponding flag and symbol. The periodic table is known for its adaptability as new elements are discovered. Similarly, the language of queer identity is continually evolving and being added to. ‘Queer Elements’ captures this dynamism acknowledging that language is a living entity reflecting an ever-changing LGBTQIA+ cultural landscape. You can buy prints of this work here: https://lnkd.in/gD8edM9H

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, like all heritage months, is a reminder about how important cultural appreciation is. It is also a reminder that we need to celebrate all culture at all times of the year and that Americans come from every background and in every shade. Decolonization means remembering that "their" history and heritage is also OUR heritage. It means we have a responsibility for our own awareness and learning, to unlearn the belief that we have separate histories and heritage. Our willingness to connect and learn how to create community with others is one of the beautiful things about being human. Let's celebrate our differences year-round, not just once a year: Go out and find an event where you can hear live Plena, take a Latin dance class, listen to a Celia Cruz playlist, shop your local Latino mercado, investigate the history of corn, say "Hola" when you make eye contact with a Spanish-speaking person, or research and make a Mayan pumpkin soup. Rethink how you classify your book themes in your classroom - are you compartmentalizing by "culture"? Look to reclassify your books by other themes, challenge your own patterns of categories and see what happens. We need to be curious about our shared heritage and cultures all the time - share what you are unlearning and learning with your students, friends, or family and invite them into the process. There are so many amazing ways to honor and appreciate our fellow Hispanic and Latinx friends, neighbors, and communities. Our stories are not so different after all - let's take the time to find ways to relate to each other. Cheers to taking the time to listen, learn, and love the humanity in our fellow person. https://lnkd.in/ejqNtJGx #decolonize #Culture #diversity #DEI #BIPOC #identity #Montessori #Heritage #love