It’s been two months since I started this residency. (I’m also 26 and one month exactly today) So far, I have finished teaching my first class titled “Photography in Queer Culture” which was a success! A lot of research was involved in preparing for the class, and I’m glad to have gotten this out of the way so I can now focus on making work having these artists in mind in order to keep conversations going. Not only was this my first time teaching adults, but also working with with ASL interpreters, which was very eye opening experience and contributes to a conversation regarding privilege outside of race and sexuality. I will be working on making a zine for the next couple of weeks with the work that the students provided to me during class. So keep an eye out for it at the beginning of next month!
Author: Fernando Muller
Photography and Politics
I recently got into the show “Photography and Politics” curated by former Artist in Residence, Stephanie Mercedes. I’m excited to be part of this exhibition and I can’t wait for you all to come see my piece “Cody and Rork”
Brainstorming
For the past few weeks I have been thinking about what I would like to do for my exhibition at Flower City Arts Center. Even though, it is not until next August, I want to make as much work as possible. These are a few shots I took this weekend on my iPhone.
AIR Introduction: Fernando Muller
Hello! My name is Fernando Muller and I’m the new Artist in Residence in the Photography Department at Flower City Arts Center for the 2019 – 2020 year! I was born in Peru and moved to the United States at the age of 13. In 2017, I graduated from The College at Brockport with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Photography. Since then, I have worked as a Lead Teacher in Studio 678, and I have pursued photographic projects that reflect my experiences as a queer person of color in the Rochester Community. In addition, I work full time as an HIV Prevention Specialist at Trillium Health which has helped me further understand the community to which I belong.
During this residency, I will continue to explore my place in the gay community as a queer person of color through Photography. I will volunteer with Studio 789; I will teach “Photography in Queer Culture” starting in October; and I will start a “Queer Photo Club” – a photography club for queer artists meeting once every month.
Keep up with my posts every Wednesday to see what I’m working on, or ideas, and for future involvement in the community and Flower City Arts Center.
www.fernandommuller.com
Photo by Maxwell Harvey-Sampson