A Tour of Frieze New York with Joey Terrill
The Los Angeles artist discovers works that reimagine art history and illuminate the experiences of queer, diasporic and Black communities
The Los Angeles artist discovers works that reimagine art history and illuminate the experiences of queer, diasporic and Black communities
‘We are in a historic moment that I know we will be able to get through... It’s all the more compelling to be able to engage with the arts community.’
Joey Terrill began his ‘Still Life’ series in 1997, when he first tested ‘undetectable’ for HIV. ‘I had always thought I was going to die... I recognized that wow, I am not going to die after all. Or at least not from AIDS.’ Inspired by his conflicted feelings about the pharmaceutical industry that saved his life, as well as the Pop artist Tom Wesselmann, Terrill started to create his own still life paintings. Each scene portrays an eclectic array of objects on his breakfast table including the artist’s HIV medication, to create almost three decades of works which simultaneously ‘queer-ize and Mexican-ize’ the still life genre.
In this video, Terrill takes us on his personal tour of Frieze New York, selecting artists who connect with his art and activism, and illuminate the experiences of marginalized queer, diasporic, transgender and Black communities.
Drawn to works that reimagine art history, Terrill highlights Malo Chapuy’s use of medieval panel painting to explore society and suffering and Romeo Mivekannin’s layered self-portraiture. Rodrigo Hernàndez’s small, sensual paintings of bats feeding at night are a new discovery for Terrill, and he reads them as recentring ‘communities that have been feared or overlooked’. Terrill celebrates the resurgence of interest in Tessa Boffin’s photographic series ‘The Knight’s Move’ (1990), which ‘couldn’t come at a better time’. ‘HIV brought out the absolute worst and best in human beings,’ observes Terrill, and Boffin’s photography ‘represents the best’.
Joey Terrill is presented by Ortuzar (Stand B16)
Malo Chapuy is presented by mor charpentier (Stand C9)
Romeo Mivekannin presented by Southern Guild (Stand A6)
Rodrigo Hernàndez is presented by Madragoa (Stand F10)
Tessa Boffin is presented by Hales (Stand D14)
About Joey Terrill
Joey Terrill (b. 1955, Los Angeles) lives and works in Los Angeles. Recognized for his enduring AIDS activism, Terrill served as the Director of Global Advocacy and Partnerships for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation until recently. He has exhibited solo exhibitions at Marc Selwyn Fine Art, Los Angeles (2024); Ortuzar Projects, New York (2023, 2021); Park View / Paul Soto, Los Angeles (2022); ONE Gallery, West Hollywood (2013); Ohio Union, Ohio State University, Columbus (2013); Norris Fine Art Gallery, Los Angeles (1993); Score Bar, Los Angeles (1984); and Windows on White Street, New York (1981).
Further Information
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Frieze New York, The Shed, 7 – 11 May 2025. Tickets are on sale – don’t miss out, buy yours now. Alternatively, become a member to enjoy premier access, exclusive guided tours and more.
A dedicated online Frieze Viewing Room will open in the week before the fair, offering audiences a first look at the presentations and the opportunity to engage with the fair remotely.
Frieze New York is supported by global lead partner Deutsche Bank, continuing its legacy of celebrating artistic excellence on an international scale.
