33 Works From HIV-Positive California Artists

The world got a little friendlier with this inspired exhibit bringing together artists from Southern California.

Above: David Jester, Dream Love

In 2018, five figurative artists from San Diego were invited to participate with Los Angeles artists in an exhibition that explored the works of contemporary artists living with HIV in Southern California. Under curation by visual artist Eugene Huffman, Art Share LA and Visual AIDS NYC came together to collaborate on bringing the creative works by Rory Chrz, Patrick N. Brown, David Jester, JP Schuiteman and Patric Stillman to exhibit at ArtShare LA (801 E 4th Place, DTLA) in the gallery show "POS*I*TIV*I*TY."

"Through my own work as a visual artist, I have long admired how Visual AIDS in New York has given HIV+ artists a platform to express their lives and work. I saw a need in Southern California's arts scene for this exact thing. With this in mind, I was able to bring Visual AIDS and ArtShare LA together," said curator Eugene Huffman. "I think the exhibit can serve as a starting point to bring together HIV+ artists and perhaps create some bonds that will continue beyond 'POS*I*TIV*I*TY'."

Visual artist Patric Stillman agrees, "It's a rare treat to have San Diego and Los Angeles artists come together. Any one show can only scratch the surface but with the intent this show has been created from, I find it especially exciting to have an opportunity to meet and exhibit with a small group of my contemporaries. Who knows where it will go from here or who will join in down the road. What an exciting beginning."

Participating Los Angeles artists include George Dinhaupt, Eugene Huffman, Kyle Kupres, Ed Lightner, Vasilios Papapitsios, Ryan Stanford, and Joey Terrill. During the opening reception, community activist and Dominatrix Bella Bathory entertained gallery patrons with a special performance art appearance.

For more information on the exhibit and its collaborators, visit Art Share LA and Visual AIDS.

David Jester, "Home"

Edward Lightner, "Corazon Emery"

Joey Terrill, "Tom Gutierrez"

JP Schuiteman

Patric Stillman, "Court of Miracles" 2

Vasilios Papapitsios, Bebe Huxley; "PillOH! Series"

Ryan Stanford

Eugene Huffman, "Mondriet"

Patrick Brown