Collection of books from Hanss Lujan Torres' research on the development of queerness in contemporary art.
Collection of books from Hanss Lujan Torres’ research on the development of queerness in contemporary art.

Hanss Lujan Torres @ Artexte

Fall 2023

During his residency, researcher and curator Hanss Lujan Torres will delve into Artexte’s collection to explore exhibitions, events, and art practices addressing gender and sexuality in the 1990s and early 2000s. Inspired by cultural theorist José Esteban Muñoz’s concept of “queerness on the horizon,” Lujan Torres will explore how Canadian artists and artist-run centres embraced queer perspectives during the emergence of queerness in contemporary art. The 1990s saw a heightened political time for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and a unique moment situated between the peak of the AIDS crisis in the late 1980s and the legalization of gay marriage in Canada in 2005. In this timeframe, Lujan Torres aims to capture the emerging practices of now mid-career and established artists working in Canada and seeks to shed light on lesser-known figures that advocated for 2SLGBTQIA+ visibility and rights in the arts. Recognizing privilege’s influence on value and preservation, this research serves as a foundation for broader discussions. While urban artist-run centres receive attention, Lujan Torres’ focus aligns with the audacious endeavours of smaller, rural counterparts during this transformative period. 

 

Hanss Lujan Torres is a curator, researcher and writer from Cusco, Peru, and first-generation immigrant settler in Tiohtià:ke/Mooniyang/Montréal. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in Art History and Visual Culture from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and a Master of Arts in Art History from Concordia University. His research and curatorial practice consider subjugated archives, queer temporalities, and alternative futures in contemporary art. Hanss is the research coordinator for the Indigenous Futures Research Centre at Concordia University. He has worked with several arts organizations, including as the past president of the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art, curatorial assistant at the Kelowna Art Gallery, and curatorial intern at the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery.