“I started doing photography as a way to express things I don’t understand or to convey a message I’m having a hard time explaining,” Austn Fischer says. “I often work in quite a backwards way, knowing exactly what I want to arrange in front of the camera but struggling to understand the significance in my life until I am able to reflect on it after.”

The Wisconsin-born, London-based photographer taps into fashion as performance, considering how our garments, style, and gestures convey parts of our identities. Contrast is key in Fischer’s work, and it emerges through unusual pairings like lace ruffs atop athletic garb or an angular, black gown with a dainty, horse-shaped wire armature. Whether a portrait or a more conceptual composition, each work harnesses an exuberant sense of play and homes in on our ability to remake ourselves anew.

“Growing up, I had a lot of questions around my sexuality and my own experience as a man. I naturally gravitated towards fashion because of the story clothing can convey in an image,” he adds. “The colours, shape, fabric, and the way clothing wraps around a model create a unique conversation around identity and the body.”

Fischer has collaborated with a range of editorial and commercial clients, shooting Ai Weiwei with a milkshake for The New Statesman, for example, and David Byrne seemingly under oath for Crack Magazine. Whether working on a personal project or a commissioned series, the photographer transforms a largely black-and-white palette that could appear harsh into scenes exuding warmth and softness.

Better understanding his own emotions is Fischer’s priority at the moment, following a series of painful experiences, both personal and professional, that have influenced what and how he’s creating. “Recently, I spent two weeks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. painting a wall in a church white over and over to understand patience and reflect on myself. I’m working a lot on understanding emotion and myself through putting my body through different tasks or challenges,” he tells Colossal.

Explore more of Fischer’s portfolio on his website and Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Contrast Reigns in Austn Fischer’s Conspicuous Black-and-White Photos appeared first on Colossal.

Pedro Piscal pisco is latest Chilean brand to resemble a Hollywood name – and others have fought off the lawsuits

The actor Pedro Pascal is waging a legal battle against a Chilean pisco merchant who has chosen a cheeky name for his brand of the country’s national spirit: Pedro Piscal.

David Herrera registered the brand name with a Chilean commercial regulator in 2023 and began selling his pisco in off-licences and restaurants.

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© Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images

© Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images

© Photograph: Stéphane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images

Ten Taiwanese people, including former and active military personnel, were indicted Tuesday for allegedly spying for Beijing, Taiwanese prosecutors said.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has ramped up military and political pressure on the island in recent years.

The two sides have been spying on each other for decades, but analysts say the threat to Taiwan is greater given that China has threatened to use force to bring Taipei under its control.

Nine of the defendants — former and active military personnel — were accused of “filming videos pledging allegiance to the CCP” (China’s Communist Party) and “collecting and handing over classified military information” in exchange for money, the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

They were all serving in the army, navy, air force and coast guard when a “hostile foreign group” — described to AFP as affiliated with the CCP — approached them on social media and allegedly bribed them.

Prosecutors said the bribes — paid in bank transfers and cryptocurrency — ranged between NT$72,000 (US$2,000) and NT$1.7 million (US$53,500).

See also: Taiwan’s existential battle against Chinese spies

One civilian defendant was accused of offering the “hostile foreign group” use of his bank account to bribe army personnel in return for monthly payments.

It will be Taiwan’s first national security case to be tried by citizen judges, following a law passed three years ago to bring the public into judicial decision-making.

By providing classified information to “hostile foreign forces”, the former and current military personnel “seriously jeopardised national security,” prosecutors said.

Prosecutors are seeking heavier-than-usual sentences as a “warning and deterrent” in the face of “increasingly serious” infiltration by foreign forces.

Espionage convictions in Taiwan can lead to sentences of 10 years or more.

The number of people prosecuted for spying for Beijing has risen sharply in recent years, with retired and serving members of Taiwan’s military the main targets of Chinese infiltration efforts, official figures show.

As clocks spring forward this weekend, many people groan at the thought of “losing an hour” of sleep. The shift can feel sudden and disorienting, especially for those who treasure their morning routines or rely on consistent sleep patterns. Yet experts say that Daylight Saving Time (DST) should not be seen as a punishment. It is less about losing an hour and more about gaining something far more valuable: sunlight. By focusing on the return of light, DST can be seen as a natural boost to mood, metabolism, and overall resilience.

Light plays a critical role in human health. Our metabolism, mood, and sleep cycles are closely connected to natural rhythms of day and night. Morning light triggers the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps the body wake up and feel alert. Evening light regulates melatonin, guiding the body toward restorative sleep. According to Dr. Ilene Rosen, even a small adjustment, like the one-hour shift in Daylight Saving Time, helps align our circadian rhythms with natural light cycles. This alignment improves alertness, energy, and mood throughout the day.

Scott Blossom, L.Ac., founder of Doctor Blossom and an integrative cognitive health practitioner, notes that exposure to natural light can influence cognitive function and emotional resilience. His approach emphasizes that consistent light cues help support mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being, and that adjusting daily routines to include sunlight can ease the transition when DST begins.

The benefits of sunlight extend beyond physiology. Longer days signal the approach of spring and serve as a tangible sign of renewal. Exposure to natural light increases serotonin, the neurotransmitter linked to happiness and social engagement. Seeing sunlight lingering later in the evening can lift spirits, encourage outdoor activity, promote social connection, and create moments of quiet reflection. In this sense, Daylight Saving Time is not a disruption. It is an invitation to embrace life outdoors and to enjoy the changing seasons.

Adjusting to DST does take a short period of adaptation. Early risers or people with strict schedules may initially feel tired or irritable. Research shows that most people adjust within a few days. Simple practices such as getting sunlight first thing in the morning, taking brief outdoor walks during the day, and keeping consistent sleep schedules help the body recalibrate quickly. By framing the shift as an opportunity to reconnect with nature and reset daily routines, individuals can transform the experience into one of resilience rather than deprivation.

The cultural narrative around DST often focuses on what is lost rather than what is gained. When people hear “spring forward,” they think about an hour less of sleep. Reframing the shift changes the conversation to a more positive perspective. It is a chance to gain an evening of light, extend daylight for exercise, leisure, and social connection, and embrace activities that promote well-being. With each passing day, the sun lingers longer, encouraging outdoor activity and moments of calm reflection. Exposure to light helps regulate mood, reduces symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, and strengthens overall health.

Daylight Saving Time also reminds us that humans are adaptable. Even with minor disruptions, the body is capable of adjusting to environmental cues. In a broader sense, this shift is an exercise in resilience, showing how small changes can harmonize daily life with natural rhythms. By focusing on the benefits, including extra sunlight, longer evenings, improved mood, and new opportunities for activity, DST becomes less of a nuisance and more of a seasonal gift.

This spring, instead of dreading the clock change, embrace it as a herald of light and renewal. The sun is returning, and with it comes a chance to recharge, align with natural rhythms, and enjoy life outdoors. Daylight Saving Time should not be viewed as a thief of sleep. It is a reminder of the power of light, the resilience of the human body, and the joy that comes with longer, brighter days.

The post Why Daylight Saving Time Is a Boost, Not a Loss appeared first on Social Lifestyle Magazine.

Szilveszter Makó’s enigmatic photographs carry layers of mystery and introspection. Standing inside curious block-like backdrops and lain against two-dimensional fields of color and texture, his subjects seamlessly meld into stories in which every detail carries intention.

Taking inspiration from art history, the Milan-based artist references Surrealism and grotesque art through his use of chiaroscuro effects via light exploration and contrasting earth tones. Similar to 20th-century Surrealist paintings, Makó’s images delve into uncanny realms and evoke a dreamlike sense of unfettered imagination. It’s no surprise that the photographer was once a painter and has suggested that these impulses may be a subconscious homage to his earlier chapters.

Mystery presents itself in Makó’s photos through tactility that’s difficult to pinpoint. Subtle but moody elements—such as grain and halation surrounding moments of brightness—point to the possibility of filmic qualities achieved by chemical reaction, rather than digital manipulation. While the photographer doesn’t divulge his specific post-production techniques, he explains, “I would not call it a secret but more of an unorthodox process… those who understand the history of analog photography could probably recognize what I am doing.”

Makó’s strong sense of style can be attributed to his distinct mise en scène, consisting of handmade props made with recycled materials, carefully constructed theatrical environments, and bold yet often sculptural garments that add visual interest through elongated lines and exaggerated silhouettes. Often highlighting designer pieces by Schapiarelli, Maison Margiela, Prada, Bottega, and more, the artist has also teamed up with more commercial names, such as Zara, and most recently, Adidas.

“When we come into the studio, everything that my team and I have prepared, like the props, the costumes, and the designs, pile up in one room,” Makó shares in a conversation with Artribune. “I like to see it all collide. As what we imagine beforehand does not always want to come together in the way we planned.”

One of the most distinguishable motifs across the artist’s images is a box. This cubic element appears in many forms—a confined space that models find themselves in, the repeating shapes that make up checkered floors, house-inspired headpieces, or, more recently, its evolution into a two-dimensional compositional element in playful flat-lay photographs. “For me, the box is both a restriction and a liberation,” Makó notes. “It centralizes the host whilst simultaneously amplifying it, preventing energy from scattering across the frame.”

While the box’s formally geometric characteristics lend itself to an evolution of order, structure, and guidance, the photographer also enthusiastically welcomes spontaneous moments, explaining that “control makes images cold and calculated, leaving much without meaning. A shoot should breathe, it should evolve, it should shock even those who are making it.”

Although Makó regularly works with a slew of well-known celebrities—such as Elle Fanning, Bad Bunny, Michelle Yeoh, Willem Dafoe, Cate Blanchett, and more—he possesses a unique ability to transcend the veil of fame, artfully translating even the most recognizable faces into something entirely of his own. He shares, “I do not treat celebrities differently from anyone else. We enter the room as equals. The set is not a hierarchy, it is a space where we work together.”

See more from the photographer on Instagram, and find his images published in editions of Vogue, The Cut, Acne Paper, Vanity Fair, GQ, and more.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Szilveszter Makó’s Surreal Photographs Reconstruct the Boundaries of Portraiture appeared first on Colossal.

The expression “wherever you go, there you are” is often wielded to describe futile attempts to escape hangups, anxieties, and a variety of unwanted emotions. Although this truism is typically offered as a negative, it can also be read as a positive that provides comfort and stability amid new environments.

In I Bring Home with Me, Ghanaian artist Amoako Boafo recreates his Accra studio in an architectural reproduction within Roberts Projects’ Los Angeles gallery. Boafo is known for his stylized portraiture of Black people, whose skin the artist renders in swirling gestures made with his fingers. This exhibition presents a collection of paintings embedded within the life-sized replica, created in collaboration with architect and designer Glenn DeRoche.

According to a statement from the gallery, Boafo wanted to reflect both the “images, sounds, people, stories, and events that shape his sense of place” and how community gatherings in his studio are essential to his process. While some portraits depict imagined subjects, many portray friends, family, and public figures.

Monstera wallpaper, porous wall dividers, and floral seat covers add color and texture to the largely black, wooden structure and echo Boafo’s use of paper transfers, embroidered details, and thick impasto. Paired with his portraiture, these architectural details guide viewers through the space and capture how presence and memories shape our inner and outer environments.

I Bring Home with Me is on view through March 21. Find more on the artist’s Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Amoako Boafo Weaves His Portraiture into an Architectural Replica of His Accra Studio appeared first on Colossal.

Rabbits and hares are often overlooked, even though they are a crucial part of our ecosystems serving as a key food source for many species and even an indicator of climate change.

“Poor rabbits. It’s the exact reason I started rehabbing them, because I felt sorry for them,” says Tallulah, founder of My Wildlife Rescue, the only authorized wildlife custodian in Ontario that specializes in rehabilitating neonatal and juvenile wild rabbits and hares. “Other animals have the ability to defend themselves.”

Tallulah, who opened her rescue in 2018, suggests there are two reasons that rabbits and hares are underrated animals: people see rabbits as common and often assume wild native rabbits and domestic rabbits are similar, so they lose interest in learning about wild ones. “Basically, they are just seen as common, and you can just get [a domestic] one in the store,” she says.

And unlike bears, lynx and wolves, “They aren’t charismatic megafauna…Humans like to learn about predators, I don’t know why, but it seems like something we can relate to,” Tallulah hypothesizes, “They are also very hard to study because they are small, quiet and active at dusk and dawn.”

Although largely understudied in Ontario, Tallulah argues that native rabbits and hares are sensitive indicators of climate change. Droughts, for example, can drastically reduce rabbit litters mid-summer, as extreme heat stresses mothers, limits food, and increases mortality among kits. “Last year, we had loads of babies in the spring, then nothing in the middle of the summer, and it picked up again in the fall,” says Tallulah, reflecting how a summer drought directly affects rabbit populations.

Snowshoe hares face another challenge: their fur changes colour based on day length, not snow cover. With winters arriving later and ending earlier, the white hares stand out against snowless ground, making them more vulnerable to predators. Changes in populations and survival rates of these animals reflect the broader impacts of shifting weather patterns.

Because wild rabbits and hares are often not seen as having economic value, rescues that care for them tend to receive limited public or government support and fewer donations. This is unfortunate, as species like the snowshoe hares form a crucial part of the food web. “They basically feed everybody. For example, the Canada lynx lives and dies by the cycle of the snowshoe hare. If there are very few hares, there will be very few lynx because that’s usually what they eat.”

At her Ottawa-based rescue, Tallulah cares for two of Ontario’s most common young rabbits (kits) and hares (leverets): Eastern cottontails and snowshoe hares. In total, Ontario is home to five species, including the white-tailed jackrabbit, Arctic hare in the far north, and the non-native European hare, which was introduced over a century ago but is rarely seen today. Chances are that the Eastern cottontail and snowshoe hare are the two you’ll most likely spot in the wild.

The Main Difference Between Rabbits and Hares

If you come across a young rabbit or hare, these key differences can help you identify them:

Rabbits are born blind, hairless, and completely helpless. They grow fur and open their eyes around seven to eight days old. Eastern cottontail rabbits build small nests, shallow indentations in the grass lined with fur and vegetation.

Hares are born with fur, with their eyes open, and are ready to move. Snowshoe hares do not burrow; instead, their leverets are born in the open. Within a day, the young start exploring and hiding, though they remain near the birthplace because the mother returns twice daily to feed them, similar to Eastern cottontails. Additionally, mature hares fur changes colour with seasons, helping them blend into their environment.

How to Help Rabbits and Hares

“Everybody can do something [to help rabbits and hares this spring],” says Tallulah. Here’s what she recommends:

• Let grass grow the entire season, from early spring until late fall. Avoid mowing certain areas as tall grass provides food, cover and nesting spots. Mowing grass risks destroying nests and hurting or killing the kits and leverets.
• Protect their habitat. Join a local conservation group to support their environment.
• Observe respectfully. Watch from a distance or use a trail cam.
• For adult rabbits and hares living in the wild, provide clean water, not food. Never feed or attempt to tame wild rabbits and hares.
• Plant native vegetation. Include extra vegetables in your garden for the rabbits instead of chasing them or letting pets harass them. “They don’t have a grocery store they can go to. Be kind,” says Tallulah.
• Keep pets in check: Leash dogs and keep cats indoors or build a catio to protect wildlife.
• Avoid rodenticides. Hire professionals that use humane ways to capture animals and keep harmful chemicals out of the food chain.
• For wild rabbits and hares that need help, contact a wildlife centre that takes in rabbits. Tallulah also warns that domestic rabbits should never be released into the wild. Their bright colours make them easy targets for predators, and they lack the camouflage, instinct and hardiness of wild rabbits and hares. Additionally, they are too friendly towards humans and pets and the harsh climate is fatal for them. Released domestic rabbits often die quickly from starvation, predation or disease. Contact a rabbit rescue like https://rabbitrescue.ca/ or use this rabbit rescue resource page https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Ontario to rehome an unwanted pet.

Every spring, I feel the same familiar pull toward a reset. The longer days, the open windows, and the sudden urge to reorganize EVERYTHING from my closet to my calendar. It all makes a complete life overhaul seem oddly appealing. But… been there, done that—and I’m not going back. In truth, I’ve learned that the moments when I’m most tempted to change everything are often the moments when a simpler approach works better.

That’s really the beauty of entering my 30s (and leaving the last decade far behind). When we want to create change, it seems like a burn-it-all-to-the-ground approach works best. But in recent years, I’ve learned to look at how small shifts can make the biggest difference in how I feel day to day. The habits that seem almost too simple to matter—drinking water before coffee, stepping outside for a quick walk, putting my phone down a little earlier at night—are often the ones that move the needle the fastest.

Featured image from our interview with Sanne Vloet by Michelle Nash.

The 5 Habits That Help You Feel Better Within a Week

So this year, instead of chasing a dramatic reset, I’m taking that springtime urge as a signal to slow down and return to the basics.

The truth is, your body responds quickly when you give it what it needs. While meaningful change always unfolds over time, a handful of simple habits can noticeably improve your energy, mood, and focus within just a few days.

Each of the habits below supports a system in the body that tends to respond quickly to change—things like blood sugar regulation, circadian rhythm, hydration, digestion, and nervous system balance. When those systems are supported, the feedback can be surprisingly immediate: steadier energy, clearer thinking, deeper sleep.

Think of these as small inputs with fast feedback. Five habits that help you feel better—minus the complete reinvention of your life.

1. Start the Day With Protein

The fastest way to stabilize your energy.

If there’s one habit that can noticeably improve how you feel within a few days, it’s starting your morning with protein. Trust me: as a girl who long and lovingly bought into the Parisian pastry-a-day AM routine, I’ve learned that a quick breakfast (toast, cereal, or coffee alone, included) spikes your blood sugar and leaves you crashing by mid-morning.

Protein, on the other hand, slows digestion and helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which translates to improved energy, better focus, and fewer cravings throughout the day.

Within a few days, the shift can feel surprisingly noticeable: mornings feel steadier, the mid-afternoon slump softens, and you’re less likely to find yourself reaching for a quick snack just to get through the day.

Try This This Week

Aim for ~30 grams of protein at breakfast. It can be as simple as eggs with avocado toast, Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, or a smoothie blended with protein powder and nut butter.

If you want something a little more inspiring, Camille’s protein-forward breakfasts are some of my favorite ways to start the day. The Savory Sweet Potato & Egg Breakfast Bowl and Mediterranean Quinoa Breakfast Bowl are both satisfying and easy to prep ahead, while the Savory Yogurt Breakfast Bowl, Berry Yogurt Parfait, and Breakfast Tacos are quick options for busy mornings.

2. Step Outside Within the First Hour of the Day

Morning light resets your internal clock.

One of the fastest ways to improve your energy, mood, and sleep has nothing to do with supplements or complicated routines—it’s light.

Exposure to natural light early in the day helps regulate your circadian rhythm—the internal clock that controls when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy. Research shows that morning light can help align this rhythm with the 24-hour day, supporting better energy during the day and improved sleep at night.

Within a few days of stepping outside soon after waking, the shift can feel subtle but noticeable:

• steadier morning energy
• clearer focus throughout the day
• easier, more restful sleep at night

Try It This Week

The goal isn’t a long morning walk—just a few minutes of daylight within the first hour of waking. You might drink your coffee outside, open the windows while you get ready, or take a short walk around the block before starting your workday. (Camille swears by it.) Even 5-10 minutes can help cue your body into a healthier rhythm.

It’s a small shift, but it’s one that often makes the entire day feel more grounded.

3. Create a Daily Movement Window

Small pockets of movement make a big difference.

Okay, okay, okay: I love (and swear by) my 45-minute barre3 workout, 5-6x a week. BUT! Not every habit that improves your health has to be so involved. Truthfully, there are some weeks when my workout just doesn’t happen—and in fact, some of the most impactful movement happens in small windows throughout the day.

Every day—whether I work out or not—I love to incorporate a few minutes of intentional movement. It’s a welcome break from my wfh routine, and can help regulate blood sugar, improve circulation, and boost mood.

One of the simplest examples is a short walk after dinner. Light movement after eating can help support digestion and stabilize blood sugar, while also creating a natural transition between the activity of the day and your evening’s slower pace.

Try It This Week

Choose one moment in your day that becomes your movement window.

It might be stretching while your coffee brews, taking a short walk between meetings, or stepping outside for 10 minutes after dinner. The habit works because it’s small enough to repeat. Over time, those small pockets of movement begin to add up.

Think of it less as exercise and more as keeping your body gently in motion throughout the day.

4. Drink Water Before Coffee

A small shift that changes your mornings.

Coffee has become such a natural part of the morning that many of us reach for it before anything else. But after a full night of sleep, the body is naturally dehydrated, and that first glass of water can make a noticeable difference in how the morning unfolds.

Hydration supports circulation, digestion, and cognitive function, all of which help the body transition out of sleep. When caffeine enters the system before the body has had a chance to rehydrate, it can sometimes amplify jitters or lead to a sharper energy spike and crash later in the day.

By simply swapping the order of your morning bevs, you quickly notice:

• clearer thinking
• fewer morning headaches
• more stable energy

Try It This Week

Keep a glass or water bottle by your bedside and drink it shortly after waking—before coffee. It’s a simple shift, but it signals to your body that the day is beginning with care rather than urgency. And once hydration is taken care of, that morning cup of coffee often tastes and feels even better.

5. Create a 30-Minute Wind-Down Window

Because your evenings shape how tomorrow feels.

If mornings establish the tone for the day, evenings set the foundation for how the next one begins. Many of us move straight from the activity of the day into bed—answering emails, scrolling through our phones, or finishing one! more! episode! before finally turning out the lights. The problem is that constant stimulation keeps the brain in a state of alertness long after the body is ready to rest.

Creating a small buffer between the day and sleep helps the nervous system slow down. When the body has time to shift into a calmer state, sleep tends to come more easily—and the quality of that sleep improves.

Instead of scrolling or watching television, use that final half hour to transition gently into rest. A few simple ideas:

• Dim the lights throughout your home to signal to your body that the day is ending.
• Make a cup of herbal tea—chamomile, lemon balm, or peppermint are all calming options.
• Read a few pages of a book (preferably something relaxing rather than stimulating).
• Take a warm shower or bath to help your body temperature drop afterward—a signal that sleep is approaching.
• Step outside for a few minutes of fresh air and quiet.
• Do gentle stretching or light yoga to release tension from the day.
• Write down tomorrow’s to-do list so your mind doesn’t carry it into bed.
• Spend a few minutes journaling or reflecting on the day.
• Practice a short breathing exercise or meditation to calm the nervous system.

Even one small ritual practiced consistently can signal to your body that it’s safe to relax.

For more ideas, Camille shares the simple practices she swears by in her Sleep Toolkit—a collection of small habits that make it easier to fall asleep and wake up feeling restored.

The Takeaway

When we think about feeling better, it’s easy to assume the answer lies in doing more—adding another routine, another rule, or another habit to track. But often, feeling better begins with something simpler: giving your body the basics it’s been asking for all along.

A nourishing breakfast. A few minutes of sunlight. A short walk. A glass of water before coffee. A quieter transition into sleep. None of these habits are complicated, but practiced consistently, they ladder up to a routine that supports the way your body is designed to function.

And sometimes, that’s all a reset really needs to be.

The post 5 Habits That Will Make You Feel Better Within a Week appeared first on Camille Styles.

Tensely contorted or standing pin straight, Ben Zank’s signature faceless subjects evoke ineffable yet familiar emotions.

The New York City-based photographer has a knack for turning ordinary settings and unaccompanied figures into strangely perplexing sights. Mismatched socks, bold garments, and awkward poses go a long way in evoking a visceral response through his lens, tapping into a sort of uncanny realism.

Zank’s work traveled to Festival Cargo Les Photographiques—a.k.a. The Cargo Festival—in Saint-Nazaire, France last summer. Since its debut in 2022, the annual event typically features several outdoor exhibition areas, highlighting contemporary photographers.

The artist’s plein air installation for the festival included large reproductions of images affixed to leaning wooden pallets and covering brick walls. The minimalist, Earth-toned portraits complemented their surroundings, scattered across sparse grounds.

Zank is currently working on a series that is focused on capturing strangers in their own homes, rather than the constructed settings he typically employs. Find more from the artist on Instagram.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Ben Zank’s Portraits Teeter Between Surrealism and the Mundane appeared first on Colossal.

On the top floor of Buffalo AKG Art Museum’s Gundlach Building, a vast body of work from 58 artists comes together for Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way. The impressive ensemble is both a survey of contemporary Latinx painting and a lively dialogue between a spectrum of artists with diverse backgrounds, experiences, identities, languages, and creative mediums.

Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way is a major exhibition that has slowly unfolded over the course of several years. Curator Andrea Alvarez—the architect and driving force behind the project—has spent much of this time immersed in research and collaborating closely with each artist throughout the process, refining every detail of the show.

The exhibition’s title alludes to former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera’s titular poem. Oscillating between English and Spanish while employing lush imagery of flora and fauna, the poem itself—like the survey—is an exuberant celebration of community and cultural convergence. He writes:

cielo de calor and wisdom to meet us
where we toil siempre
in the garden of our struggle and joy
let us offer our hearts a saludar our águila rising
freedom

The show traces this poetic rhythm in its spatial design. Herrera’s stanzas greet visitors at each entrance and throughout its galleries, establishing tone and providing context for what lies ahead.

Although the exhibition is organized into seven themes, Alvarez highlights its intrinsically flowing nature, noting that even if the collection were rearranged, the show would still hold together. In a walkthrough, it became clear that space was central to the viewing experience, leaving room for visitors to engage with the works on their own terms, much like the exhibition’s overarching focus on gathering and bolstering free-flowing conversation.

In Moises Salazar Tlatenchi’s “Cruising Queens,” a boat of five faceless figures and an American flag sail icy waters. Reminiscent of 18th-century America, the figures wear powdered wigs and tricorne hats. Finished with a dense layer of glitter and a daintily crocheted lavender frame, the artist’s glamorous materials—and the existence of brown figures in this context—subvert American history. “Cruising Queens” is placed within the exhibition’s New Histories section, which focuses on retelling personal, cultural, and global histories.

Colossal readers might also recognize Eamon Ore-Giron’s tessellated abstractions in “Talking Shit with Ilapa (variation I),” Guadalupe Maravilla’s mixed-media techniques in “Pupusa Retablo,” and Firelei Báez’s vibrant portraits bursting with floral motifs in “Mawu-Lisa (I build my language out of rocks).” Known for deconstructing colonial structures within her work, Báez turns toward the transatlantic slave trade, invoking deity Mawu-Lisa, a critical figure in the culture and religion of the Fon people in West Africa, who were brought to the Caribbean by force.

Bodies & Figures denotes another section of the show, highlighting “representations of and by marginalized people, considering the importance of the body, and who is or isn’t seen in an image,” the catalog says. One such work is Salomón Huerta’s triptych of untitled canvases. Through the absence of figurative human subjects within the paintings, visitors experience an intimate representation of the artist’s father.

“Huerta’s father protected the family in their home in Ramona Gardens, a violent housing project in East Los Angeles,” the museum label reads. “At night, he would set his .38-caliber revolver on the bedside table and ask Huerta to bring him a snack—often a concha or a glass of milk.” Disrupting expectations of traditional portraiture, the artist evokes something that feels deeply tender and human-centered—without the presence of a body.

At the same time, Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way begs the question: how do identity and place shape each other? Los Angeles-based artist Alfonso Gonzalez Jr. turns to the rich visual language of signage. A meticulous technique passed down from his father’s professional career in commercial sign painting, Gonzalez has developed an enduring relationship with East Los Angeles’ emblematic advertisements and billboards, often reflecting Chicano culture. In “Abogados Tierra Caliente (Billboard),” the artist underscores the inherent connection between local landscapes and one’s selfhood, and an interesting relationship emerges between public commercial objects, personal portraits, and the museum itself.

Chicago-based Yvette Mayorga’s strikingly pink composition, “The Brunette Latinx Self Portrait After Francois Boucher’s “The Brunette Odalisque” c. 1745,” is affixed to a wall in the show’s cluster of Pinturx works, which are described as “contemporary Latinx approaches to traditional painting genres like still life and portraiture.” The artist’s distinctive technique of piping acrylic paint embodies themes of labor, femininity, and memory. Mayorga’s unconventional methods are an example of newer approaches to portraiture and complement the artist’s nods to Baroque and Rococo art.

Included in this grouping of nontraditional painting methods are other artists previously featured on Colossal, such as Sarah Zapata’s textile columns, made from handwoven cloth and various fibers. Installed leaning against a wall or protruding downward from the ceiling, her structures convey instability—a reflection of the current climate we find ourselves in. Narsiso Martinez also makes an appearance with “Checker Leading the Crowd,” made with charcoal on his distinctive cardboard produce box background, calling attention to labor.

In an anchoring room of the exhibition, “Promised Land” by Patrick Martinez spans 16 feet wide, redolent of a landscape’s sweeping view. Acrylic, neon, stucco, spray paint, and ceramic tile are just some of the layers that sit atop each other in the mixed-media work. Martinez ruminates on his native Los Angeles and the facade of “paradise” amid an ever-changing cultural landscape marked by gentrification and financial marginalization. Abstracted and washed-out structures, spray-paint marks inspired by graffiti, and an archival family photo collage represent the passage of time and the act of constantly rebuilding. “Promised Land” is part of the exhibition’s Land/tierra section, which highlights “Latinx approaches to landscape and the built environment, thinking about land and tierra and their rapid change.”

As a whole, the boundary-pushing exhibition comes together in a chorus of dialogues, mediums, backgrounds, and experiences. The Caribbean and Latin American diaspora is complex, and each artist remains distinct—resisting an external flattening into a monolithic identity. Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way is a celebration of contrasts and connections and a necessary counterbalance in the glaring face of division.

The exhibition is on view through September 6, when it will travel to the Des Moines Art Center, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Frye Art Museum in Seattle. Public programming—workshops, artist talks, tours with poet Juan Felipe Herrera, and more—is slated to accompany the show’s run, so keep an eye out for events on the museum’s website.

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article ‘Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way’ Convenes 58 Artists to Survey Contemporary Latinx Painting appeared first on Colossal.