02/27/2024
Art, advocacy, and Rommy Torrico ✨As we celebrate the close of our year-long journey with Rommy, our 2023 Fully Human Giveback artist, we’re reminded of the power of community and art in driving forward change. Their creations underscore that art transcends expression—it’s a vital means of survival and defiance. Thank you, Rommy! Here’s to continuing the fight for a world where everyone is seen and celebrated.
‘here you are love/aquí eres amade’ 2023
From the artist: During July and August of 2023, I had the great privilege of being an artist in residence, along with my best friend and co-creator Sonia Guiñansaca, at Visible Records for Undocu+ Collective. As q***r, trans/gender expansive, formerly undocumented migrant artists and cultural workers who are rarely afforded the opportunity or space to just rest, play, curiously explore and create from the heart, we really wanted to prioritize those things and the Undocu+ residency allowed us to do just that. With all of the anti-trans legislation that had been coming out that year, especially the legislation targeting trans youth, we wanted to make something that would center care, tenderness, love and safety. That’s where “here you are love/aquí eres amade” came from. When thinking of the best format to deliver this message it made sense to go with a bandana; it shares a long history with q***r culture, it’s an item we often saw on altars throughout our lives and has been a way communities have kept each other safe during COVID. We drew inspiration from community, nature and our personal experiences to create 6 different bandana designs in both English and Spanish, speaking to tenderness, rage, enduring love and celebration. The hope is to eventually have the funds to print all the designs out in both languages and send bananas out to community organizations/schools/libraries as offerings to youth across the country. Head over to our website to support Rommy!