If you were to search the term “Queer Art,” you’ll find definitions reiterating the same phrases. Definitions simplifying queer art as “modern and contemporary visual art practices that draw on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and various non-heterosexual, non-cisgender imagery and issues.” But just like art in itself, queer art can hold so many more layers to it than just identity by itself. It vibrantly intertwines personal narratives, social commentary, and artistic expression in a tapestry of diversity and inclusion. And within this vast landscape, there exists room for exploration and expansion—room for artists to challenge conventions and redefine the boundaries of queer expression.
Artist-led and community-centered organization, Queer|Art, comes with a passion for collective care, creative resilience, and the preservation and advancement of queer legacies and queer futures. After the devastating loss of a generation of artists to the ongoing AIDS pandemic, there was a need to create cross-generational connections, mentorship, and community. Queer|Art served as an answer to that call to action and became New York City’s home for the creative and professional development of LGBTQ+ artists. This year now marks the 13th Annual Queer|Art|Mentorship program, the cornerstone of Queer|Art’s work in providing the support and platform necessary for LGBTQ+ artists. This year, this program spotlights established artist M. Lamar and artist X. Lee. These are two artists working to delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of human experience and invite audiences to journey beyond surface-level interpretations and engage within intricate layers of queer artistry.
Lamar is a boundary-pushing composer whose artistic journey traverses the realms of opera, metal, performance, video, sculpture, and installation. With a BFA from The San Francisco Art Institute and a stint at the Yale School of Art’s sculpture program, Lamar’s path diverged when the music called, prompting a departure from academia to pursue his passion. His multidisciplinary work has garnered international acclaim, gracing prestigious venues such as The Rewire Festival in The Hague, Trauma Bar Berlin, and The Metropolitan Museum Of Art’s Cloisters. Lamar’s creations have also resonated at esteemed institutions like the Manhattan School of Music and London’s Wellcome Collection, demonstrating a captivating fusion of mediums and narratives. Continuing to hone his craft, Lamar delves into classical and bel canto techniques under the tutelage of Ira Siff. His dedication and innovation have earned him accolades including a 2016 Jerome Fund Grant for New Music (JFund), a 2016 NYFA Fellowship in Music and Sound, and grants from Material Vodka, the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, the Harpo Foundation, and the Franklin Furnace Fund. Lamar’s artistic footprint extends far and wide, with performances at venues ranging from MoMA PS1’s Greater New York to Wesleyan University and the New Museum. His work is a testament to the transformative power of art in challenging norms and sparking conversations, making Lamar a force to be reckoned with in the contemporary cultural landscape. Some of Lamar’s work include Lordship and Bondage: The Birth of the Negro Superman, The Cloisters, 2019; The Voice in Three Acts, MoMA PS1, 2015; NEGROGOTHIC, A Manifesto, The Aesthetics of M. Lamar Participant Inc., 2014.
Lee, based in Los Angeles, is a trailblazing artist whose creative expression defies convention. At the heart of Lee’s practice lies a seamless integration of interaction, electronics, multimedia visuals, gesture/movement performance, spatial design, and the synthesis of acoustic and electronic elements.
Inspired by the immersive energy of rave culture, Lee transposes the abstract concepts and aesthetics of techno into their electro-acoustic creations. Paired with their education and training in classical composition each piece and project is enriched with depth and complexity and a nuanced understanding of the interplay between music, technologies, and human experience. His artistic vision has been further shaped by immersive experiences at prestigious institutions such as the Conservatoire Americaine de Fontainebleau, the Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique (IRCAM), and others. His ability to seamlessly blend technology with human expression and to bend the boundaries between genres, positions Lee as a visionary artist at the forefront of contemporary music and multimedia art.
This year for the Queer|Art mentorship program, X. Lee now has the opportunity to be mentored by M. Lamar, for this year-long project. When asked what led Lamar to this opportunity to mentor X. Lee during this mentorship program through Queer Art, there was nothing but high-spoken words. “I find him to be excellent, X was just really genuine in who he was and that stood out to him in his application. There’s not a lot of room in the queer space for those who are just strange or weird. He was the most radical.” With the combination of X’s sound manipulation, opera theater, and a post-humanist way of thinking in his work, it brings a new approach to the art; one many haven’t even thought to hear before, let alone create. “Hopefully,” Lamar continues, “ we can push against what is conventional in LGBTQ art making and breaking expectations and boundaries”
The two meshed together well as they shared a similar view of their place in the creative world, both in art and as an individual. “He [Lamar] loves being against what the norm is and I could relate to that. Not just in being queer, but his existence alone is radical,” Lee says in reflecting on why he submitted his application to Lamar specifically. “As far as what I’m hoping to gain from this opportunity, I want to embrace the uncertainty and just want to enjoy the experience of creating.”
Lee’s artistry will also soon be seen at the World Dutch Harp Festival on April 18th, 2024 where he will perform alongside other artists along with a harpist.
For these artists, queer art is not merely a label or a category—it is a boundless realm of possibility, a platform for self-expression, and a catalyst for social change. By pushing the boundaries of artistic expression and challenging preconceived notions, they pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse artistic landscape and world—one that celebrates the complexities of identity and embraces the full spectrum of human experience.
You can find M. Lamar and follow his work on his site and Instagram and X. Lee on his Instagram here!