“Being”: Reinserting Black and Brown, Queer and Trans Bodies into Art History.

Kiara Marshall by Camila Falquez

“We are the embodiment of a new history— a history renewed by reclamation and documentation. We are history. By being, we manifest the impossible.”- Being 

This is a powerful statement made by Being, a project dedicated to reinserting Black and Brown, Queer and Trans bodies into classical artistic canon. It’s a known fact that so many Queer and Trans people have been erased from art history, and photographer Camila Falquez has taken portraits to address the issue.

Jeffhova by Camila Falquez

“Power springs forth from the femme, the fluid, the fortuitous, the fighting, the free, the forgotten.” - Being

Lorelei Black by Camila Falquez

By queering “traditional” Western motifs and visuals languages seen in classical art, Falquez reimagines a world in which Queer and Trans people are recognised for their contributions to art and challenges beauty ideals.

Artemis and Alok Menon by Camila Falquez

Falquez also wanted the portraits to live in the “real world”, and so the “Occupy the Street” initiative of Being was born. Massive versions of the portraits are wheatpasted across New York City to reclaim space and increase visibility.

Ericka Hart by Camila Falquez in New York City

West Dakota by Camila Falquez in New York City

This project is a print fundraiser and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to The Okra Project, G.L.I.T.S and The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. Be sure to buy your prints here.