Forging Territories: San Diego Art Institute

Kicking Off Opening Night at the Forging Territories Exhibit

Patrisse helped led the procession to the exhibition space on opening night for Forging Territories: Queer Afro & Latinx Contemporary Art, held from June 29, 2019 to November 3, 2019. The exhibit was curated by Ruben Esparza at the San Diego Art Institute. Although Patrisse only performed for one night, her performance set the tone for the entire exhibition which sought to celebrate beauty and life in spite of the hate and trauma experienced due to racial inequality.

For this performance, Patrisse painted her entire body with gold paint and added chakra colors, giving the impression that she was a human statue. She wanted to emphasize that Black people are more than just their trauma. During the procession, she wanted to help viewers think about the borders, journeys, and scars that have been left on Black people and their bodies — but also that there is light and hope.

Patrisse said in an interview with McCall: “I am very interested in the idea that even inside of the pain and inside of the trauma and inside of the government that is intentionally making us feel helpless, there is a place inside all of us where we are still alive.”

In alignment with much of Patrisse’s goals in her art and activism, this piece reflected how she sees beauty and joy amongst the hate, continuing to give her hope in creating change.