Paintings — Camilo Villa

BAILANDO CONMIGO

A series of paintings depicting male subjects embracing their own femininity. The subjects in these paintings delve deep into their bodies with eyes closed as they hold their skirts as an extension of their own bodies, inviting the viewer into their own internal dance.

WEAVING BORDERS

A series of paintings exploring geographical borders and their trans-generational imprint on their inhabitants’ bodies. This series questions the brutality of socio-political borders, which continue to cause cultural wars from generation to generation. Even though borders are meant to divide these bodies, the subjects in these paintings challenge this separation and are able to hold and embrace each other beyond these borders.

DECOLONIZING GENDER SERIES

A portrait series depicting indigenous “two-spirit” and “3rd gender” identities from around the world, including the Navajo nádleeh, the kathoey of Thailand, the hijara of India, the xanith of Oman, the 'yan dandu of Nigeria, the fa-afafine of Samoa, and the muxe of Mexico.

CONTIGO SERIES

A series portraying parents around the world embracing their LGBTQ+ children. Even though it might be hard and unrealistic to imagine parents from certain cultures feeling proud of their Queer children, this series will challenge that notion and perhaps create a “utopic” reality where LGBTQ+ youth are able to both embrace their queerness and cultural pride simultaneously.

LA BESTIA SERIES

A portrait series depicting the hundreds of families that have been separated at the US-Mexico border during the Trump Administration. The series honors the strength and perseverance of immigrants that come to this country in search of a better future for their children. Up to this day 611 migrant families are still separated. 392 of these families were deported, 201 are likely in the U.S. and 18 of them the Trump admin. has no contact info about.

justicia para-2 copy 2.png — Detention Center

NOS ESTAN MATANDO SERIES

A portrait series honoring social leaders fighting for racial and environmental justice.