PROUD+ 2024

Point Loma artist Colette Hebert stands as a recurring figure in the world of contemporary art, capturing the essence of human emotions and movement on canvas with a mastery that weaves together her love of visual art and dance. Hailing from Quebec in Eastern Canada, Hebert’s early connection with the art world was nurtured by her parents, leading her to private art lessons and a profound mentorship under master artist Leslie Shalk, who was deeply influenced by Henri Matisse. This early education has left an indelible mark on Hebert’s style, particularly through the ‘Lavis’ technique, which involves creating black shapes on white backgrounds using black ink diluted in water. This time-honored process has helped Hebert understand ink load, brushstrokes, and texture, and continues to influence her work.

Hebert’s journey took her across continents, where she embraced diverse cultures and languages, further enriching her artistic expression. Her nomadic lifestyle, which saw her traveling from Montreal to Miami, allowed her to blend her passion for visual art with her love for Tango. This dance form became a significant part of her life, even leading her to become the 2003 U.S. Tango Champion. Her art, characterized by pour paintings on recycled aluminum sheets, stands out for its unique textures created by mixing incompatible materials like gold leaf, oil, furniture stain, and acrylics. Hebert’s figurative paintings, often featuring the female form, combine abstract and realistic elements, breathing life into her subjects and allowing their stories to unfold with every stroke. Her art transcends mere visual appeal, encapsulating the complexity of human experience and inviting viewers to connect with their own emotions and experiences.

Read Patric Stillman’s Artist Profile on Colette in the archive of LGBTQ San Diego COunNew

Alejandro Herrera Cabeza creates intricate 3D boxes, meticulously crafted from found objects and repurposed toys, narrating stories of his life and broader cultural themes. “My boxes…they are like diaries of my childhood,” Cabeza explains, with each element symbolizing unexpressed aspects of his past. These dioramas juxtapose playful childhood innocence with poignant social commentaries, exploring identity, memory, and societal norms. “I think of my art as a way to control and arrange my turbulent past into something beautiful, something defiant and hopeful,” he shares, highlighting the therapeutic nature of his work. Herrera’s upcycling transforms discarded items into narratives advocating for diversity and acceptance. “These toys… they are broken, yes, but they are beautiful. They have stories, histories that deserve to be told,” he remarks. His upcoming exhibitions use these boxes to engage in conversations about inclusion, gender equality, and visibility, urging viewers to reconsider societal norms. “With my art, I talk about inclusion, gender equality, and visibility. How can we learn to appreciate the difference if we are all expected to line up the same?” Herrera questions, challenging perceptions of normalcy and acceptance.

Alonso Yañez transforms traditionally closed spaces into platforms of expression. “Each canvas, each photograph I craft, carries the weight and the whisper of untold stories, pushing against conventional boundaries,” he says. His art bridges isolated experiences with communal recognition, highlighting LGBTQ+ struggles and triumphs. “Through my art, I aim to create a bridge between isolated experiences and communal recognition, making the invisible visible and the unspoken loudly heard,” he explains. Committed to social change, Yañez carefully selects themes and symbols to provoke thought and empathy. “My goal is to not only reflect the reality of queer lives but to enrich the viewer’s understanding of what it means to live them,” he reflects. His residency at Art Gallery Studios has refined his voice and connected him with other queer artists. As he prepares for upcoming exhibitions, Yañez focuses on making his work a conversation starter, urging a dialogue that transcends the visual.