Larry and Randy invited me back to curate another exhibition, this year in two galleries following Art Queen's expansion. I turned to John Luckett again both as artist and curator. With China Adams about the return for a residency at BoxoHOUSE, it seemed opportune to have a show of her work featured along a new installation by John for the Annex Gallery on Hiway 62. John then suggested a Steve Craig's Machine Empire for the metallic gallery inside the Art Queen compound. And so, Active Resistance was born.
China put forward work from a past exhibition titled White Flags and Silent Chimes which had been held at Steve Turner gallery in LA. The work had to do with environmental concerns and transformation and, formally, provided the opportunity to take a break from the current atmosphere of nationalism, corporatism and prejudice that is in the air.
John installed found images of drag queens alongside another painting in his Search and Rescue series as well as an image of a colorful character that John captured on Hollywood Boulevard.
An opening was held on June 11 for the exhibition in the Annex Gallery. The Stonewall event itself took place on June 25, now both celebration for Stonewall Inn as well as commemoration for the Pulse Orlando. Steve Craig installed his amazing automated drawing machines, a working crane and a solar-powered fountain for the event. With movie screenings, a fashion show, a surprise appearance by performance artist Aaron Sheppard and the wonderful music by several local bands, another wonderful Joshua Tree evening of community, warmth, fun and remembrance unfolded.
Many thanks to John, China, Steve, Larry, Randy and the Art Queen team.
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