Hilary specializes in shocking: bright backgrounds, textures, and diverse bodies through oil paintings. The position of the figures and painting textures urges the viewer to assess their own attitude towards both traditional bodies/ gender identity and the also expected use of color and texture in paintings. Hilary’s mastery of oil paints as a medium allows them to explore texture both on the canvas and through the canvas itself (she often paints on velvet). Hilary also is constantly exploring in their practice; if you ever get the chance to visit their studio in California Building (206A) you’ll feel like you’re taking a vacation.
A huge painting – I have my eye on several at the moment (Hilary offers payment plans). What I tend to get when I visit their studio: stickers and prints to give as gifts- because, again, gorgeous.
Holy humor and texture! Zacharie McKee is a Native American (Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk) concept artist and illustrator. Their practice includes drawing and digital painting, zines, Risograph, and self-publication. Zach’s illustrations, whether promotional or in a zine, give audience members a doorway into their experiences. Her style is inviting, yet, distinctive to her visual voice; I believe this is due their mastery of digital texture. Zach is currently focusing on an autobio comic exploring growing up as a “weird, fat, Ojibwe kid.” Currently, they are working on Ojibwe Language preservation projects. Be on the lookout for upcoming projects: “Waawaashkeshi Giiyosewikwe” and “Wiinaajimo.”
Get every single zine they have. Every Minnesotan should have a McKee Zine. "Start Seeing Horses" and "Freaky Fantasy: A Manuscript of Medieval Freaks" is the right path to get you into the McKee fan club.
Mikha Dominguez (aka Mikhamik) is a Queer non-binary Latinx Venezuelan visual artist, photographer, educator, and sculptor. The first time I experienced Mikhamik’s work in public I raced online to find a portfolio because I needed more. You can’t help but want to see more: even in the midst of a maximalist’s dream, when looking at their photography or installation work. On the surface, Mikhamik’s work is bright, colorful, and playful, but it urges viewers to stay and dig deeper. Their most recent project was created for MEXIMALISMO, the exhibition -fashion show by Serpentina Arts invites viewers to explore familiar objects paired with striking images.
Follow their Instagram to see pop-ups, openings, and happenings. Mikhamik is a style best experienced in-person. Harper highlighted Mikha as an artist to book a consultation with through Springboard for the Arts.
Shug is a standout textile artist in Minnesota. Harper often sees Shug’s work reflect the abundance of “stuff” in our world (read: textile waste). As someone so partial to maximalism, Shug does a wonderful job combining the facets of maximalism seen in quilting and midwestern craft culture and merges them with concepts from contemporary art. This marriage in style grounds viewers. Shug’s body of work is warm and inviting in medium, yet, is so successful in bringing complex topics to the front of viewers’ minds. They also created Embodied Material: A collective for queer textile artists to discuss theory together.
The works pictured, Remember Remembering, are a series of textile collages on paper (8.5″x11″) available to purchase through their website this winter.
Grover Hogan (they/them) is a queer, Black and Mexican interdisciplinary artist from Houston, Texas, currently based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an artist, Grover works to make sure their viewers always feel like they’re in on the joke; meaning, while their artwork may feel visually niche, Hogan does an amazing job at visually sending familiar cues to viewers. Their time as an educator of many ages has allowed them to convey images across generations, and they frequently oscillate between illustrative and realism in style. However, these styles create a sense of intensive relatability rather than offend a viewer.
Recently on Instagram, Grover posted that they would be making stickers of each of their self-designed tarot deck- and I'm so excited. Watch Grover's Instagram for pop-ups and art sales.
allison anne is an interdisciplinary artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota who works in a variety of mediums, including collage, zinemaking, publishing and graphic design. I am so impressed by this artist’s ability to cultivate community regardless of what medium they put their hands on. allison frequently invites viewers through social media to travel with them through collage exploration of different printed material, approaches, and techniques. Each new body of work is like walking from one city block to the next: unique in style but cohesively a part of the same entity.
I always recommend queer folks support their community's artists and allison makes their art wonderfully accessible in several mediums. I highly recommend shopping their website for an original artwork or ephemera such as stickers if you're looking to start or expand your queer art collection.
