Artist's Statement: In this silkscreen piece, I convey the perseverance of communication throughout LGBTQ history. Included in this 18x24" print are scans of personal ads from several 1993 Advocate magazines, as well as images personally taken from displayed documents at the Gerber/Hart LGBTQ Museum & Archives in Chicago.
The resilience of the LGBTQ community through historical tragedy and uncertainty is a subject that is often bypassed in cultural discussion. These personal ads and magazine articles tell stories that may have never been spoken aloud. Not only do they capture a longing for community, but also a triumph in the pursuit of such. As a trans person myself, I feel personally connected to each and every one of these pieces of history. The intricacy and complexity of the composition expresses the depth of this communication through the '90s and beyond, implying a much longer progression backwards in time. Within the intentional over- and under-flooding of the ink through silkscreen lies a defiance to the very practicum itself. It challenges the conventional neat, clear-cut silkscreen ideal, much how the personal ads in the piece challenge conventional cisheterosexual norms.
About the artist: August Velez Miller (they/he) is a Chicago-based multimedia artist specializing in printmaking and graphic design. Focusing on color and composition allows him to create work that is both attractive and impactful. August graduated from Columbia College Chicago in December of 2022 with a BA in Animation, and currently lives on the north side of Chicago with his partner, cat, and dog (definitely a full house). He works primarily in traditional silkscreen print, the Adobe Suite, and Procreate. You can find August on his semi-personal Instagram or via his website.