In recognition of the vital importance of increased visibility and diverse representation of LGBTQ+ communities and issues, particularly in rural areas, Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is presenting “Queer Perspectives,” a juried exhibition opening Aug. 10 and closing Jan. 4, 2025, at its gallery in rural Buckhead.
“This world is too small for less than brotherhood, too dangerous for less than truth,” is what artist Steffen Thomas inscribed more than 60 years ago as his philosophy on a granite wall at his studio in Stone Mountain.
To Thomas, his reference to “brotherhood” was synonymous with humankind. It represented a philosophy he constantly referred to in his art and life. Thomas believed it necessary for humanity and equality to be at the forefront of society.
STMA has curated an annual exhibition dedicated to this philosophy for the past four years. These Brotherhood Exhibitions, as they’ve come to be known, highlight artists who have traditionally been underrepresented in the art community. They feature both emerging and established artists from Georgia and beyond.
However, “brotherhood” carries a gendered weight in today's context. It’s potentially limiting, considering the evolution of gender identity and the language surrounding it. “Queer Perspectives” is a juried exhibition that considers this dialogue around language, queerness, and visibility.
Jurors Melania Armenta, Demetri Burke, Yu-Kai Lin, and Christina Schlesinger selected 12 Georgia-based, LGBTQ+ identifying artists from numerous submissions to STMA’s call for art early this year.
“I came out a long time ago – the early 1970s – I knew of no other lesbian artists at the time, and images of lesbians in art were almost non-existent,” artist and activist Schlesinger shared about her personal connection to the exhibition.
“One of the hardest parts of coming out was this lack of imagery, the invisibility of the queer perspective. I could not see myself anywhere,” she said. “Fast forward to the LGBTQ world of today. While people are more out now, there is still an urgent need for the recognition of LGBTQ art and artists, especially in these fraught, divisive times. Mutual recognition is how we discover our shared humanity.”
This shared humanity will be celebrated and showcased in the “Queer Perspectives” exhibition featuring Nat Blooming, Perrine Gaudry, Rial Rye, Ezra Witkowski, Yousef Bushehri, Krista M. Jones, Royce Soble, Cassie Wright, David Clifton- Strawn, LaSalle, Jeffrey Wilcox Paclipan, and Clint Zeagler. There also will be a special exhibition by Freddie L. Styles. Each of the artists is Georgia-based and part of the LGBTQ+ community.
An opening reception for “Queer Perspectives” is scheduled for 4-6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, at STMA (4200 Bethany Rd., Buckhead).
Call the museum at 706-342-7557 or visit online at steffenthomas.org for more information.