Carlos & Fernando by Gabriel Garcia Roman

“I chose to honor Carlos & Fernando in the series as their love and commitment to each other is one that is never highlighted and necessary. Brown queer love is a revolutionary act.”

—Gabriel Garcia Roman

The couple depicted here are spouses from the Los Angeles, CA area both working in the mental health field. Gabriel Garcia Roman (born Zacatecas, Mexico, 1973) presents the two as “modern-day saints,” haloed and serene with their own hand-written musings and affirmations radiating around them. The gold text offers insight into the thoughts and feelings of the subjects.

This artwork is part of Roman’s Queer Icons project, a series of portraits which presents and honors individuals like Carlos and Fernando who are a part of the Queer Trans community of Color. The series features activists, community organizers, poets, and artists that work toward the betterment of their communities, and presents an array of self-expressions on the gender and queer spectrum.

—Alexis Meldrum, curatorial assistant

Text by Carlos and Fernando Estrada-Lopez:

“FVCKTM 2015
Raised on beans and family
Two pour-overs and sweet bread
We were in NYC, PHX, SB & now puro Los Angeles
I am 1978 California. Parents from Michoacan. Pure fucking Queer!
A little nook for the family. Dreamers and bad asses. We are in love with our animals, those personalities.
We are cosmic Chicanos from the stars.

Dancing. Searching. Running.
Nor from here but neither from there. Educated Pochos. Americans
We are Latinos for Obama and Juan Gabriel during the morning. AH-Ha!
I am 1977. E.L.A and Pico. Bicultural. Pure heart.
Stuffed peppers, Parents to Vida, Kiko, Montse and Teo
We are non-profit love. Breathing happiness.”

This print is currently on view in Intersections in American Art. To learn more about Roman’s Queer Icons series and work, visit gabrielgarciaroman.com/queer-icons-home.