On June 21st, 2023, from 5-7pm, Gallery 1701 at the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology (CHICAT) is hosting the opening exhibition of “Abre Camino”, by Rio Goodwin Perez. Goodwin Perez is a self-taught queer Puerto Rican multi-disciplinary artist raised in Tennessee. Through painting, sculpture, written word, archival exploration, and digital manipulation, Rio’s work creates a magic-filled universe that seeks to cement the ephemerality and tenuousness of queer Puerto Rican identity in Diaspora. Inspired by their family’s cyclical journey between the island of Puerto Rico and various scattered locations throughout the United States, Rio’s works combine to form maps, worlds, and stories that liberate trans and queer Puerto Ricans from the restraints put on them by cisheteropatriarchy. “Abre Camino” is Goodwin Perez’ first solo exhibition, but their work has been shown both nationally and internationally. Goodwin Perez will also be hosting an artist talk and mask making workshop at CHICAT on June 30th from 12-3pm. https://www.rioperezart.com/