Attend the opening reception for Moises Salazar’s “In my Arms” on Friday, June 7, from 6:00-9:00pm.

As a non-binary, first-generation Mexican American, Moises Salazar’s work is deeply influenced by their lived experiences, cultural upbringing, and the Chicago Queer community. Salazar’s practice is dedicated to advocating for the communities they are a part of, and their paintings explore queer nightlife, trans experiences, and immigration activism. Using glitter—a material often stigmatized— they create depictions of queer and immigrant bodies. With their own likeness as a template, their faceless figures serve as stand-ins for any Queer Latinx youth, defiantly challenging erasure. Inspired by fashion and drag culture, Salazar uses a myriad of embellishments, fabrics, and textures combined with traditional Mexican craft techniques through their work that transforms pain into healing and restorative energy.