Known for bold lines, whimsical figures, and vibrant colors, NYC-based queer, trans pop artist JJ Quinn‘s art celebrates queer identity, expression, and desire.
JJ has exhibited work solo and in several group shows, such as The Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, and Art Gaysel in junction with Art Basel Miami.
Queer Art Hub’s queer marketplace showcase at Industry City featuring JJ Quinn
“Fruitcake”. “Fruity”. “Zesty. “He’s got a little sugar in the tank” — JJ’s fruit series reclaims historically coded language used to describe queerness, using fruit as a vibrant visual metaphor for identity.
“I wanted to take these words back with a sense of humor, levity, and playfulness. Having fun while exploring what it means to own and celebrate my own queer identity, in a colorful, albeit unconventional way.“
JJ went to school for costume design and earned a BFA. The journey brought him to New York in 2019, where he worked on Broadway. When the pandemic hit, JJ started exploring painting.
Missing NYC nightlife during that time, his artwork was expressed as a reminder of what used to be. Then, over the next couple years, he used this theme to grow and evolve his work.
JJ found that few artists present trans and non-binary work and themes in New York, and is especially underrepresented in the LGBTQI+ community. So, his work is first intended for other trans people to feel seen, and have work in their home that reflects their own experience.
JJ’s pop art is bold, vibrant and is eye catching, no matter what the subject is. While he doesn’t focus on too conceptual or abstract techniques, the outcome is something that has heavy saturation and is fun and bright.
For inspiration, the artist draws on Keith Haring, and a variety of real people, models, photo references, collected images and friends for his bodies focused art.
In his last exhibition Claiming Space at Studio Lacombe in Provincetown, MA, his works reflect his personal journey of self acceptance, playful defiance and sexual liberation as he claims space as a gay trans man in the cis-male dominated bars, clubs and parties of queer NYC nightlife.
JJ’s work is a celebration of his own masculinity and urge to be seen in spaces where he long-felt he did not belong. Through this series of self-portraits, we see him challenge the weight of feeling othered, embracing
these spaces, and the people there with a sense of joyful exhibitionism.
You can find out more on JJ Quinn’s Queer Art Hub profile and his socials here:
Artist Profile: https://queerarthub.com/artist/jj-quinn/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JJQuinnArt
Dear Queer Artist is on a mission to help queer artists thrive. This blog series regularly features a queer artist in the disciplines of painting, sculpture, photography, music, and more, with a selection of their vibrant works and the stories behind them.
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