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Cathedral

Cheo Gonzalez

Profile picture of Cheo Gonzalez

The Chilean artist Cheo Gonzalez, based in London, utilizes religious iconography, urban walls, and queer eroticism to engage in political discourse, addressing Christian fundamentalism and totalitarianism. After conducting his research on queer culture in Brazil, he is pursuing a Master's in Fine Arts at the University of the Arts London, and directing The Queer Museum. His work has been showcased in Chile, Brazil, France, the UK, and the USA.

The Chilean artist Cheo Gonzalez, based in London, utilizes religious iconography, urban walls, a...

The demonization of the body and sexuality promoted by conservative churches and used as a political weapon by the far-right is becoming increasingly extreme. Examples like that of the teacher fired for showing Michelangelo’s David in 2023 in Florida, are beginning to repeat worldwide.

“Cathedral” is a collection of six visual projects: Passions, Martyrdom, Confessionals, Religious Ecstasy, The Body of Christ, and Bible, that examine the age-old relationship between eroticism and religious propaganda by comparing traditional Christian art with contemporary images. Like in a cathedral, these elements will be displayed together with the idea of enhancing their impact.

The goal of “Cathedral” is to desacralize religious images, humanizing a tradition that insists on being unquestionable due to its divine origin.

www.cheo.uk

Final work

  • Three portraits of naked Christs made with torn papers. Overwritten with marker, ink and spray.
  • Three portraits of naked Christs made with torn papers. Overwritten with marker, ink and spray.
  • Three portraits of naked Christs made with torn papers overwritten with marker, ink and spray.
Two photos, one depicting a homoerotic act between two men, the other depicting ''The Massacre of the Innocents'' by Cornelis Cornelisz.

Martyrdom (series of 25)

‘Martyrdom’ was exhibited at Cookhouse Gallery in November 2023, in London. Comprises homoerotic photographs taken by Cheo Gonzalez from 1994 to 2018. Created independently, these images are repurposed to juxtapose with Christian art, prompting an inquiry into why poses, themes, and fantasies from the queer imaginary manifest so frequently in sacred art.

Photo by Cheo Gonzalez (2015), compared to The Massacre of the Innocents, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, 1590.

www.cheo.uk/martyrdom

  • Image of a crucifix covered by plaster on a white wall that is gradually covered in red paint by the public.
  • Image of a crucifix covered by plaster on a white wall that is gradually covered in red paint by the public.
  • Image of a crucifix covered by plaster on a white wall that is gradually covered in red paint by the public.
An abstract figure with black and white figures and letters on a gold background.

Trinity (2023)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit​.

"Trinity" was showcased at Cookhouse Gallery in November 2023, in London. The series comprises three paintings on paper. Beginning with an initial random stain, the artworks explore the creation of new forms and their modifications, delving into the relationships between form and meaning. This exploration includes the manipulation of perception through phenomena such as pareidolia.

www.cheo.uk/Trinity

Research and process

  • Image of a half-naked Christ on a wall calendar, a street wall and the detail of a black and gold painting.
  • Image of a half-naked Christ on a wall calendar, a street wall and the detail of a black and gold painting.
  • Image of a half-naked Christ on a wall calendar, a street wall and the detail of a black and gold painting.

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Cathedral

The demonization of the body and sexuality promoted by conservative churches and used as a political weapon by the far-right is becoming increasingly extreme. Examples like that of the teacher fired for showing Michelangelo’s David in 2023 in Florida, are beginning to ...

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