Fist Pump for Gays with Homo Riot, Activist & Street Artist
Prepare your fists, Los Angeles. Homo Riot, L.A.-based activist and street artist, is unveiling "Fist Pump" on October 22. The collection of new works by Homo Riot began as a "fuck you" to Prop 8 supporters and has since evolved into a more profound project advocating the gay community.
Homo Riot's work serves as a line of communication to young gays, those who feel they've been ousted by society or who remain silenced and closeted. “The work in this show explores the dichotomy between the often hidden and dark realms of gay life and the simultaneous desire for visible exuberance,” says Homo Riot of Fist Pump in a release. “In these pieces, the fusion of these disparate concepts leads to awkward explosions of ‘pride’ and naïve outbursts of youthful anger and rage.”
The exhibition comes on the heels of September's Global Homo Riot, a campaign that aimed to foster visibility of homosexual imagery, dialogue and awareness around issues plaguing the homosexual community as well as hope and pride in young gays. As part of the campaign, global artists could (and did) request "kits," which contained posters, stickers and stencils with instructions on how and where to apply the artwork to make a statement within a community.
Fist Pump's opening reception is slated for Saturday, October 22, from 7pm to 11pm at Hold Up Art. The night includes a special appearance by San Francisco-based drag queen Lady Bear, an installation by Rafa Esparza, audience interactions by Trenton Szewczyk, music by DJ Chris Bowen plus a 19-foot Homo Riot art truck parked outside featuring a public tagging wall. Admission is free. Check out the Facebook event to RSVP and for additional details. Fist Pump displays through November 18.
Hold Up Art Curator Brian Lee says Homo Riot's work "elevates the street art game by combining his activism with his art," per a release. Lee added,
“There are thousands of people in L.A. alone that are pasting up posters, yet only a handful contain a message and meaning that is both self-promoting while at the same time being socially and politically aware and engaging. Homo Riot’s work cannot be mistaken for another artist, and every one of his images confronts the viewer in a modern day western stand-off; a direct social and aesthetic conflict, and an open call to anyone who challenges."
