Danny Aros-Aguilar: Sandunga Nunca Muere
Blue Sky is pleased to announce 2022 En Foco Fellowship Exhibition: Sandunga Nunca Muere by Danny Aros-Aguilar
First Thursday Opening: Nov 2, 5 – 8 PM
In-Person Artist Talk: Sat, Nov 4, 1 PM
2022 EnFoco Fellow Danny Aros-Aguilar’s exhibition Sandunga Nunca Muere came from a collaboration with their friends in Oaxaca, Mexico. The images were derived from conversations they had about the misinterpretation of being Muxe, and what it actually is like being third gender. Juchitan, the cradle of the Muxeidad, is not a paradise for the gender non-conforming. Like some other distant parts of the world, queerness in Oaxaca has been tolerated historically while being kept marginalized, oppressed, and persecuted. Limitations are set by families who navigate life using Christianized customs and traditions of morality. The latest generations of Muxes seek to hold on to certain traditions while fighting for equal rights and against femicide. Reclaiming their identity in a pre-colonized history. Queerness has always and will always be present in humanity. Aros-Aguilar’s work reflects the cultural complexity and gender queerness of their authentic self. Although some self-reflective work may resurface pain, most of their image-making is created to celebrate, highlight, and leave a print of brown queerness in history.
Danny Aros-Aguilar (Colombian American, b. 1991, they/them/theirs) is a non-binary artist born in Colombia, now based in Harlem. Danny grew up in Florida, where their family immigrated seeking asylum. Following their graduation from high school, Danny transferred to BMCC in Manhattan. After leaving college without a degree, Danny began assisting photographer Mike Ruiz. Aros-Aguilar later started producing commercial and editorial work for Rachel Elliston Photographers. Danny has shown at The Untitled Space, On The Fringe, Photoville, Humble Arts Foundation, and Wallworks in New York. As well as internationally at the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in Korea and The British Journal of Photography. Their work has been featured in American Photography, Nueva Luz, Fotofilmic, Aint-Bad, Sensored, and Maake magazines. As well as digitally by InStyle, American and Italian Vogue, and the MoMA in New York. Danny currently holds a residency at the BxArts Factory and is a recipient of the EnFoco Photography Fellowship, 2022. The same year, Aros-Aguliar received the American Photographic Artists D.C. Chapter LGBTQIA+ Grant for their series Sandunga Nunca Muere.
Organizer
Founded as the Oregon Center for the Photographic Arts by a group of five young photographers in 1975, Blue Sky quickly established itself as an important venue for local photography. In a short period of time, the organization expanded its offerings to include national and international artists, many of whom exhibited at Blue Sky early in their careers. Blue Sky’s special endeavor continues to be the exhibition of emerging and established artists that exemplify the finest in photographic vision and innovation. As such, Blue Sky has earned the accolade as having “the best record of discovering new photographers of any artists’ space in the country.” Today, from our 3,700-square-foot facility in Portland’s historic DeSoto Building, Blue Sky presents 20 – 25 exhibitions annually, maintains a public research library, showcases regional photographers in an annual juried exhibition of original works in its Pacific Northwest Drawers, and offers artist talks and programs — all free to the public.