Riya Lerner, "Wanda Acosta, Addresses Project," 2019, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Invitation from Wanda's iconic party, "No Day Like Sunday at Cafe Tabac." Image courtesy of Wanda Acosta.
Polaroid from Wanda's iconic party, "No Day Like Sunday at Cafe Tabac." Image courtesy of Wanda Acosta.
Riya Lerner, "Sharee Nash, Addresses Project," 2019, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Cover of HX featuring Sharee Nash from 1996. Image courtesy of Sharee Nash.
Article in HX featuring Sharee Nash from 1996. Image courtesy of Sharee Nash.
Riya Lerner, "Lee Zevy, Addresses Project," 2019, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Lee Zevy and dog. Image courtesy of Lee Zevy.
Pamphlet from Identity House. Image courtesy of Lee Zevy.
Riya Lerner, "Kay Turner, Addresses Project," 2020, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist.
Young Kay Turner dressed as Roy Rogers. Image courtesy of Kay Turner.
"lady-unique-inclination-of-the-night," 1983. Image courtesy of Kay Turner.
Riya Lerner, "Cassandra Grant, Addresses Project," 2020, gelatin silver print, 11 x 14 in. Courtesy of the artist.
50th Birthday Party. Caru Thompson on shekere, Madeleine Yayodele Nelson on drums, Debbie McKee on drums, and Rose Morgan standing. Image courtesy of Cassandra Grant.
Salsa Soul Sisters Postcard. Image courtesy of Cassandra Grant.
Online Exhibit:
Taking Space
A Queer Womxn’s Portrait Series by Gwen Shockey and Riya Lerner
On view: June 10-October 10, 2020
Panel Discussion: September 30
RSVP for the Panel
Oral Histories
“Taking Space” was initially conceived of as an exhibition at The Center, which has been postponed. These five selections are from a larger series of mixed-media portraits by Gwen Shockey and Riya Lerner featuring lesbian and queer women who have dedicated their lives to creating and holding space for women in New York City from the 1950s to today. The individuals included in the series represent a diverse network of community builders engaged with social and political organizing, mental health advocacy, nightlife, music, journalism, visual art, literature, poetry, performance, research, safer sex and kink practices. Each portrait includes a photograph taken in a significant location for the sitter, along with segments from their oral history interview and selected ephemera from their life and work. To see the full project please visit addressesproject.com.
Funding for The LGBT Community Center’s Queer Womxn’s Series made possible by the generous contributions of Amy Ellis and Trudy Sanders Reece.