“Queer Art 4.0” is more than an exhibition. It is an exploration of the many ways desire and identity take shape in our lives. Walking through the space, I met artists whose works carry courage, vulnerability, humour, and defiance. They spoke of coming out, of the innocence and complexity of childhood, of love and loss, of faith and the freedom to live without it. Some described moments when confidence felt far away, yet from those struggles came extraordinary creativity.

The result was a vibrant collection of paintings, photographs, sculptures, and immersive experiences, each infused with personal truth. The artists came from across cultures and continents, reflecting the richness of today’s global queer community.

Fernando G. Champion, Counsellor for Communications, Press and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom, described this year’s edition as the most ambitious yet. For him, it was “a space where queer voices are amplified and celebrated through the transformative power of art,” more than just an exhibition, but a movement.

Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena, Ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom, spoke of the power of truth in creative work and the courage it takes to put it into the world. “Every piece you see here is born from lived experience, from a personal truth that refuses to be hidden,” she said. For her, this is what gives the exhibition its strength, the fact that every artwork is not only a product of skill but also a reflection of a life lived honestly, even when honesty is not easy. She emphasised that bringing these voices together in one space is both a cultural and a political act, one that affirms the value of queer stories in the global conversation.

Mariana Ortiz reflected on her role in shaping the show. “It is a conversation between differences, where each work is a world of its own but still belongs in the same universe,” she explained. For her, curation is about listening deeply and allowing every voice its own space.

Among the featured artists, Tigo Ayres explored the meeting point between memory and identity, blending personal history with wider cultural narratives. His work, he said, is “a reflection of the journey between who we are and how the world sees us,” inviting viewers to walk that journey alongside him.

Chrissie Darling brought her signature energy, celebrating the radical act of visibility. “I have always believed that being yourself loudly and unapologetically is its own kind of activism,” she said, her words as colourful as her style.

Dimitris Picros spoke of intimacy and vulnerability. “My art is about moments when you let someone see you without your armour,” he explained, moments that can be both terrifying and deeply beautiful.

Andrea Cecilia Le Carricone uses transformation as her tool. “I like to take something familiar and twist it so it makes you question what you thought you knew,” she said, seeing disruption as a way to open minds.

For Raiz, questions of belonging take centre stage. “I think about roots and routes, where we come from and where we are going, and how that shapes our identities,” he reflected. Movement and memory, in his work, are inseparable.

Debbie Del Rey wields humour as a political tool. “Humour is a weapon,” she told me. “It disarms people so you can tell them the truth,” a quality reflected in her mix of playful imagery and sharp commentary.

Gabby Quintero spoke of the people who inspire her. “The people in my life are my palette,” she said. “They colour everything I create.” Her work turns shared moments into lasting images.

‍Robert Phillips focuses on rejecting imposed limits. “I make art that refuses to fit the boxes people want to put me in,” he said. “It is about breaking down those walls before they close in.”

Roger Alarcón described his paintings as “living in the in-between,” a liminal space where truth and imagination meet. It is here, he said, that reality can shift and new possibilities can emerge.

Kevin Kane sees joy as resistance. “If they expect you to shrink, take up more space,” he said, a philosophy that shapes both his life and his art.

Monica works through touch as much as sight. “It is about building something you can feel before you understand it,” she explained, crafting pieces that create a sensory dialogue with the viewer.

Finally, Adela Murillo spoke about the role of others in her creative process. “I create with others in mind, always. My work is a conversation, not a monologue,” she said, reminding me that art can be an act of connection as much as expression.

The night moved between bold statements and quiet confessions, each work offering its own language of truth. Some pieces confronted societal norms directly, while others whispered to anyone willing to stand close enough to listen.

Queer art encompasses an expansive range of expressions by LGBTQ+ creators. It often confronts societal norms and expectations while exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and gender. It carries with it the history of a struggle for representation and recognition while celebrating the boundless creativity that thrives within the queer art scene today. Together, these works are both resistance and celebration, living proof of the resilience, complexity, and brilliance of queer lives.

The exhibition brings together a remarkable roster of voices. Guest artists include This is Mexico, Debbie Del Rey, Lola Pony, and Solana Beach. Alongside them, the line-up features Maria Diaz de Leon, Lorenzo Belenguer, Tom Price, Eduardo Ahumada, Melina Merlin, Veronica Lira, Gabriela Quintero, Thierry Alexandre, Conor Collins, John Drumm, Mascha Angoscini, Scott Nunn, Monica Martinez, Robert Phillips, Andréa Lekare, Michelle Medina, Josefa González-Blanco Ortiz-Mena, Robert James Reuven, Chris Jepson, Manny Lopez, Frida Rivero, Valerie Pannier, Leo Crane, Dan Mackey, Andres Silva, Casper Hong, Kevin Kane, Andrea Basters, Roger Alarcón, Michael Williamson, Jody Little, Nicole Hipp Sierra, Sofia Alvarez, Edher Leal, Molly Bright, Pedro Montalvo, Carolina Rosas, Sofia Vargas, Hakim Hallal, John Loewenthal, Carlos Gonzalez, Monica Cheizen, Dimitris Pikros, Valeria Miro, Jay Start, Tigo Ayres, Stephanie Gomes, Chrissy Darling, Briana Quintanilla, and Weezy Derham. Curated and produced by Fernando G. Champion, Mariana Ortiz, Jessica Cuapio, and Adela Murillo.

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