Brick Aux Gallery presents
Kris Mendoza: Communion
Opening Reception
at Brick Aux Gallery – 628 Metropolitan Ave
May 2, 2024, 6-8PM

Join us on May 2 for a reception celebrating the opening of Kris Mendoza‘s first solo exhibition, on view May 2-25, 2024 at Aux Gallery.

Communion is an ongoing body of photographs that explore spaces of refuge within my queer community. The title, Communion, is a reference to the intimate exchanges captured in the work. Last summer, I started creating photographs with a simple set of parameters: I could only use natural light, close friends, not strangers, incorporate the natural environment and work exclusively in black and white. Initially, these parameters were heavily influenced by the works of twentieth-century artists, George Platt Lynes and PaJaMa, with whom I shared a spiritual connection through their careful attention to light, form and space. Perhaps most meaningful is the personal nature of the photographs. Likewise, I share the desire of finding meaning within my own experiences and relationships, pulling from these references as a means of exploring refuge through community and its perennial relevance to queer life.

The people featured in the images: Johnny Williams, Jason Pérez, Liony García, Peter Redmond, Long Cheng, Kyle Sullivan, Nico Fernandez-Kiray, Sammy Eath

— Kris Mendoza

Kris Mendoza (b. 1992), a self-taught photographer and visual artist living in Brooklyn, NY, dives into an obsession for preserving time and creating staged vignettes, often with a highly-compositional nature. Since graduating with a BFA in design in 2015, Mendoza has looked to self-portraiture and writing to explore issues of masculinity, sexuality and identity. In mid-2020, just after moving to New York City, Mendoza started documenting his family, friends and lovers as a means of navigating both the pandemic and finding meaning within the feeling of lost time. Through this, he found his preferred medium of black and white film, usually inside a medium or large-format camera. Recently, Mendoza’s work explores refuge and self-inquiry, drawing on intimate experiences and constructed scenes that reveal the hidden dynamics of relationships as they evolve in his life.

Find them: @krismendoza_

Special thanks: Queer Art Fest, Busboy, Peter Remond, Justin Reyes, Photo Lab NYC, Borough Photo

Brick Aux Gallery hours are 12-6PM on weekends, varied weekday hours, and by appointment: theresa@bricktheater.com

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The Brick is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We rely on the generosity of our patrons. Consider giving a tax-deductible donation today to help make The Brick a sustainable hub of experimental performance for many years to come. Donate Here or Join Our Patreon Mask Policy: The Brick strongly encourages but does not require masks for audience members. We are in ongoing conversation with our artists and audiences as we continue to adapt our covid policies and it is subject to change at any time. Thank you. A Note on Accessibility: The Brick has trigger warnings posted in the space for each show for you to check if you so choose. If you would rather ask questions in advance of being in the space or would like to enter in advance of house opening due to our seating not being assigned, please reach out to theresa@bricktheater.com.