Join us on Thursday, March 13th, at 7 PM for a panel discussion with artists Hal Shipman, Amanda Cervantes, Bri Robinson, and James Hosking for a discussion about the role of archival materials in their artistic practices.
Before and after the event, make sure to check out Hal Shipman’s exhibit, Forbidden Love at the Desert’s Edge, which highlights found archives and family secrets, and will be on display in the Sandfield Exhibition Gallery through late April.
About the Artists
Hal Shipman
Hal Shipman (b. 1963; Denton, TX) earned his MFA in Photography at the School of the Art Institute – Chicago in 2024.Shipman’s artistic practice is centered around his experiences as a gay man, coming out during the beginning of the AIDS crisis, his family roots in rural Texas and the narrative power of the family story. His work examines the relationship between photography and writing, using traditional photographs, intertitles and handwritten text, as well as digital collage elements (maps), and brushwork with watercolor and ink.
Amanda Cervantes
Amanda Cervantes (they/she) is a Chicago-based queer visual artist, curator, and writer. They center their artistic practice on exploring queer temporalities, family histories, and personal archives through image making. By archiving their family’s ephemera, they build narratives that delve into familial mythologies, masculinity, and the discovery of queer threads within their own lineage. Cervantes has exhibited at the Gerber/Hart Library and Archive, Art at a Time Like This, Chicago Art Department, Harold Washington College President’s Gallery, Ontario College of Art and Design, and Terrain Biennial. They have also done collaborative projects and public talks with The Overlook Place, The Curve Foundation, Engine for Art Democracy and Justice, and the Global Center for Advanced Studies Latin America. Currently, they work with the Digital Multimedia Design department at Harold Washington College.
Bri Robinson
Bri Robinson is a mixed media artist, analog collagist, sculpture artist, and historian who weaves intricate narratives of love, loss, and identity across the expansive Midwest. Raised in Ohio and now based in Chicago, Bri’s work reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the region, combining personal history with broader societal concepts. Brought up by a large, close-knit family, Bri draws inspiration from the everyday moments and memories that shape our lives, using images found in family photo albums, adult magazines, and personal portraits. Through their unique process of cutting, pasting, and layering, Bri deepens the meaning of these found objects, transforming them into evocative works of art.
Bri’s practice is deeply rooted in the exploration of identity, relationships, and the constant evolution of self. By merging archival materials with elements of popular culture, they create thought-provoking narratives that invite viewers to engage with the complexities of the queer experience. Through their work, Bri honors the past while also pushing the boundaries of contemporary art history, crafting pieces that are as introspective as they are expansive.
James Hosking
James Hosking is a visual artist whose work explores underseen communities and archives, particularly of LGBTQ+ people, and principally themes of identity and intimacy.
Developed over several years, his Beautiful By Night documentary photo series and film focuses on three older drag performers in San Francisco. The project was featured in national and international publications, including Mother Jones and The Washington Post, and in screenings and exhibitions at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (SF) and the Tenderloin Museum (SF). It was also the focus of a 2022 solo show at the University of Michigan.
He was a 2022-2023 HATCH resident at the Chicago Artists Coalition, where he presented pieces from a new archival collage series, The Personals, made from LGBTQ+ newspapers and magazines, found photos, and textures. Thematically, these works are inspired by personal ads from the 1960s and ’70s. He received a 2023 Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Support grant and a 2023 DCASE Individual Artist Program grant. He is a 2024 MacDowell Fellow in Visual Arts and was a 2024 Artist in Residence at Latitude. He was the Art Director of the Chicago Reader from 2023-2025, where he also contributed photography for covers and features.