Shape Shifters: Queering the Metaverse! By San Francisco Artist Joseph Abbati 

Schlomer Haus Gallery is excited to present Joseph Abbati’s solo exhibit, Shape Shifters: Queering the Metaverse. This exhibition is a portal into Abbati’s own metaverse, where his avatars and queer identity transcend the chains of heteronormativity and reclaims its power.

As an emerging space that offers the potential for greater representation and inclusivity for marginalized groups, including the queer community, the metaverse provides a platform for individuals to express themselves in ways that may not be possible in the physical world. With the ability to customize avatars and create virtual spaces, LGBTQIA+ individuals can explore and express their gender identity and sexual orientation in a more comfortable and accepting environment. Abbati’s figurative paintings are a reflection of this, looking at our biases and preconceptions of queer identity. His tondo paintings, circular studies of metamorphosis, offer a surrealist glimpse into the shape-shifting experiences of queer individuals, daring us to recognize the beauty in nonconformity and embrace diversity as the lifeblood of our existence.

Infused with Abbati’s background in graphic arts, each photo-like rendering in these paintings creates a new meta-world, a metaverse where meaning is rooted in the essence of queerness. Through a series of studies, three to four paintings each, Abbati invites us to embark on a journey of exploration to discover the possibilities for constructing a reality not dictated by the confines of a heteronormative society.

Schlomer Haus Gallery, March 3, 2023, from 5-9 pm, where Joseph Abbati’s Shape Shifters: Queering the Metaverse offers a conversation of what our own metaverses may hold.

For more information about Joseph Abbati please visit www.josephabbati.art.

About Joseph Abbati

Joseph Abbati is a San Francisco-based artist and queer activist. His paintings are a reflection of his passion for queer visibility and his commitment to creating a space for the queer community to feel seen and heard. Through his art, Abbati seeks to challenge traditional norms and spark conversations about the complexities of queer identity.

www.instagram.com/jabbati

About Schlomer Haus Gallery

Schlomer Haus Gallery is a contemporary art space located in the heart of San Francisco. The gallery is dedicated to showcasing queer artists and promoting cultural diversity through its exhibitions and programming.

The opening reception is Friday, March 3rd, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Shape Shifters: Queering the Metaverse runs through Saturday, April 29th // Schlomer Haus Gallery, 2128 Market St., schlomerhaus.com, Gallery Hours: Tue – Sat 12-6 pm, and by appointment; IG: @schlomer_haus_gallery