Posted: October 18, 2024Written by: Ritchie Bermudez

San Luis Obispo, CA – The Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College is excited to announce Face to Face, a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Jamil Hellu. The exhibition will be on display from October 24 to December 8, with an opening reception on October 24 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. An artist talk will occur during the reception at 6:00 p.m. in Room 6304 and via live stream at bit.ly/jamilhellu.

The exhibition will feature photographs and sculptures, highlighting Hellu’s diverse artistic practice. Face to Face explores themes of identity, queerness, and self-representation through intimate, carefully crafted imagery and three-dimensional forms. Hellu’s work navigates the complexities of visibility, intimacy, and the fluidity of identity, inviting viewers into a personal and societal dialogue. The photographic portraits engage with questions of gaze, desire, and the ways societal perceptions shape identity. Sculptures in the exhibition serve as physical expressions of these explorations, offering tactile encounters with the themes of identity and queerness. The exhibition provides a platform for discussing the intersection of queerness, cultural heritage, and self-expression. 

Face to Face reflects Hellu’s personal journey and broader conversations about identity in contemporary society. His work highlights the power of art as a medium for self-exploration and collective understanding. “Representation of queer identity has been central to my work for many years,” Hellu said in an interview with Lens Culture. “Prior to working on Hues, my projects considered my own Middle Eastern heritage through a queer lens. Thinking about ways of discussing the effects of homophobia, I produced a lot of work about the impact of cultural heritage on the expression of gay sexuality.”

About the Artist: Jamil Hellu is a visual artist whose work focuses on the fluidity of identity, cultural heritage, and queer representation, often pointing to the tensions found in the evolving discourses about sexuality. Through an interdisciplinary practice rooted in photography that includes video, sculpture, screen-printing, and installation, Hellu’s projects offer a critical lens through which to examine issues of representation, discrimination, and belonging. Born in Brazil and of Syrian descent, Hellu's multicultural background informs his practice, fostering empathy and dialogue. His art advocates for greater inclusivity and understanding, ultimately promoting a more equitable and just world. Hellu holds a Master of Fine Arts in Art Practice from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the San Francisco Art Institute. His work has been discussed in publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Artforum, and VICE. He has held multiple art residencies at the Headlands Center for the Arts and the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris. Public collections holding his work include the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Cantor Arts Center, and the Blanton Museum of Art.

Jamil Hellus is represented by Rebecca Camancho Presents. Artworks courtesy of the artist and Rebecca Camancho Presents.

Location and Admission: The Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery is in Room 7170 at the Cuesta College San Luis Obispo campus. Admission to the gallery is free. Please visit the gallery webpage or call (805) 546-3202 for a schedule of exhibits and hours of operation. For additional information, please email timothy_stark@cuesta.edu.