Queer|Art, the national organization dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ artists across generations, proudly presents “My heart beats for the one I love,” an original artwork by acclaimed artist, Jeffrey Gibson. This piece was created in collaboration with Lite Brite Neon and serves as the third annual Queer|Art Artist Edition. As a limited edition of five, this artwork is available for purchase starting yesterday for $30,000, with all proceeds supporting Queer|Art|Mentorship. The mentorship program supports queer artists across multiple disciplines and helps foster community connections.
Gibson, who recently represented the United States at the 2024 Venice Biennale, has been a multi-year mentor for Queer|Art. His new work blends personal and cultural influences, paying homage to the queer trailblazers who came before him while creating space for contemporary voices.
Measuring 37 in x 37 in x 6.5 in, Gibson’s new artwork draws inspiration from the 1981 disco/R&B hit “Heartbeat” by Taana Gardner, a song the artist deeply connects with. The song’s release coincided with the onset of the AIDS crisis. “The lyrics speak about loving, longing, and heartbreak,” Gibson explains, urging viewers to reflect on their own personal and communal relationships.
At the heart of the artwork lies a functional drum created in collaboration with Lea Lattie of Earth Maidens, an Indigenous craft studio. The drum, adorned with a heart-shaped painting, connects the beat of one’s heart with the rhythmic pulse of the instrument. With vibrant rainbow hues and illuminated neon, Gibson fuses popular culture with markers of queer intimacy and his Choctaw-Cherokee heritage, creating a powerful metaphor for collective identity.
“The hand drum,” says Gibson, “is a tool for centering oneself and gathering strength, both individually and communally. The combination of the drum and neon pays tribute to LGBTQIA2S+ artists from the past, present, and future.”
Jeffrey Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, is an interdisciplinary artist known for integrating Indigenous craft techniques with modern aesthetics. His education spans from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to the Royal College of Art in London. With numerous awards, including a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (2019), Gibson’s work is in the permanent collections of major institutions like MoMA and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. He made history as the first Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. at the Venice Biennale in 2024.
The Queer|Art Artist Edition is an annual neon sculpture commission that celebrates contemporary queer artists while honoring queer cultural icons. Each year, an artist from the Queer|Art community is selected to create a unique neon artwork, produced in collaboration with Lite Brite Neon. Past editions were created by Nelson Santos and Lola Flash, with Jeffrey Gibson now taking the spotlight for the third edition.
Neon art has long been a medium used by queer artists to highlight overlooked stories and expand their practice. The Queer|Art Artist Edition continues this legacy while raising essential funds for Queer|Art programs.
Lite Brite Neon, a queer and trans-led collective, specializes in creating luminous visual art. Their work spans everything from artistic collaborations to commercial displays and architectural lighting. Their neon creations have appeared at major venues like the Venice Biennale, MoMA, and Bergdorf Goodman. The studio is also dedicated to the preservation of historic neon works, collaborating with institutions like the Whitney Museum and the Dia Art Foundation.
For more information, visit queer-art.org/neon or contact L Marmon (Co-Executive Director of Finance & Fundraising) lmarmon@queer-art.org for inquiries and to purchase an edition of your own.