Represented by Irina Rusinovich, CEO of Haze Gallery in Berlin, Germany
Opening Reception
October 17, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
From the Gallery
In Protest: Global Activism is a thought-provoking international exhibition of photographs – timed with the 2024 U.S. presidential election – depicting the spirit of questioning the status quo. Nationwide protests, local grassroots movements, and individual acts of dissent are documented to present unique stories during this unprecedented moment in American history. The gallery sought out work that bears witness to historic events and upholds the highest ethical standards. Due to the vital importance of the themes, the exhibition – originally scheduled to close on December 2, 2024 – was extended to January 31, 2025.
Seven large prints by Xiomaro, measuring 17 inches by 25 inches, have been selected out of over 300 photographers from around the world who made submissions. These images will also be seen in Street Photography of New York City, a book authored by the artist that will be published in 2025 by Fonthill Media in the U.K.
Xiomaro’s work was chosen for exhibition by Denise Keim, a Fulbright scholar in Poland with 33 years of experience as a celebrated social documentary photographer and professor. Keim founded the Chicago Center for Photojournalism after spending nearly four years raising money for the launch by driving at night for Uber and Lyft.
The Chicago Center for Photojournalism is an uptown gallery dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and teaching photojournalism and street photography, with an emphasis on the importance of visual storytelling in shaping societal narratives.
About Xiomaro’s Work
Outspoken New Yorkers zealously exercise their right to free speech in the Big Apple. The Trump presidency exacerbated the rancor, but few thought MAGA would muster any traction in a historically liberal town. Voting blocs presumed to be monolithic were changing, and signs of this shift were appearing on the streets all over Manhattan, but especially in Times Square, which serves as both a focal and vocal point of the city.
New, non-traditional alliances were being formed. The divisiveness continued to deepen within these groups, and opposition was voiced with bluntness and flare. The variety of special interest groups was spellbinding. Even those on the periphery of society, accustomed to being ignored by passersby, joined the fray by calling attention in unique and colorful ways.
2019, when most of these photographs were taken, saw many high-profile controversies that had the cumulative effect of making this a particularly tumultuous year. Investigations, impeachment, termination of the Iran nuclear deal, and a significant increase in both the federal deficit and the national debt contributed to the polarization.
Meanwhile, the “Remain in Mexico” policy was expanded, ICE raids increased, four congresswomen of color were told to “go back” to the “crime infested places from which they came,” and attempts were made to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census – all of which fueled the sense that an environment more conducive to white nationalist ideologies was being created.
Every now and then, however, a glimmer of truth and encouragement fought through the increasingly negative clamor. As we reach the end of 2024, perhaps we will start to see a change in the signs of the times.
All photographs are available for exhibition and purchase. Contact Xiomaro
Any image or text or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever – including any and all uses in connection with artificial intelligence technology – without my express written permission. Violators will, and have been, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Xiomaro logo by Azul Burger. Photos of Xiomaro by Barbara Cittadino.