Queer Colombian-Canadian artist explores identity in new exhibit
CBC
Creating art is a healing process for Andres Garzon.
The London-based artist has woven together his experiences of growing up religious and queer as a first generation immigrant for his new art exhibit — and finds beauty, humour and meaning along the way.
"I think we all have a journey of self-acceptance, whether it's through a religious lens, whether through its immigration," the 25-year-old said. "I really wanted to give a full picture of my experience and that was my main focus."
"I was experimenting with everything, and I also love the romance of painting and the easy spontaneity of drawing," said Garzon. "I really wanted to kind of work every muscle that I could when making the exhibition."
He also made a book full of dream logs, diary entries, poems and drawings for the exhibit translated into Spanish by his brother to reconnect with his first language and involve his family in the process, he said. The title, 'Mi Libro de Historias de Amor,' translates to 'my book of love stories.'
Keeping a diary over the years gave him "a really strong impression" of the journey to get where he is today.
It's been a long journey to make London home, but said he feels very connected here now, describing the artist community as "very tight knit and very supportive."
Garzon is an artist-in-residence at Good Sport, which he described as a volunteer-run art collective that offers free exhibits to the public.
Garzon hopes the public will recognize their own similar journey of self-acceptance in the exhibit.
"I hope it connects with people," he said.
"I hope that my family enjoys it — it's kind of a love letter to them."
No Soy El Sol Que Quema (I Am Not The Sun That Burns) opens Saturday, August 20 at 7 p.m. — and will be on display until Sept. 3.
Good Sport is located upstairs at 402.5 Richmond Street and is open Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
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