Martin Wannam was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala in 1992. His work and research addresses the influences of religion in Latin American societies, emphasizing the repression of queer communities. Wannam uses subjects and objects that he encounters through his friends, drifting, or tinder dates to deconstruct and disrupt religion to address issues of gender, sexuality, and race. Wannam currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is pursuing an MFA in Photography from the University of New Mexico. Previous to coming to the United States, he received a BA in Graphic Design from the Universidad Rafael Landivar and a Diploma in contemporary photography from La Fototeca, both in Guatemala.
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THEY
THEY addresses catholic imagery and hate crimes in the area of Central America and the Caribbean by looking at religion as one of the main sources of discrimination and death for the queer community. This work aims to deconstruct catholic imagery by imbuing traditional iconography with queerness. The term queerness is significant by giving presence and power to something that Catholicism historically denominates corrupt.
By reconstructing gestures based on memories that involve hate crimes this work brings attention to lost voices. I uses signs, symbols, gestures, objects and imagery that are followed by Catholics to undermine traditional Catholic values. Using kitsch aesthetics and referring to objects, color, composition, and material found in popular culture THEY encourages the viewer to look and interpret the work on their accord.
To view more of Martin Wannam’s work please visit his website.