Disobedient Bodies

Filter Photo is pleased to present Disobedient Bodies, a solo exhibition of photography by Mexican artist, Nelson Morales.

Disobedient Bodies is an exhibition of two photographic series that Morales has been working on for the last ten years. Muxes is a project he has been developing since 2010 and Fluid Genre is a new project that comprises images from 2018 until now. This is the first exhibition of this new work.

"This project started ten years ago when I started photographing my culture in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. During that time, I already knew my sexual orientation, however, I rejected the idea of becoming a Muxe.

The Muxes of Oaxaca are considered the third gender in Mexico. They do not define themselves as homosexuals—they have surpassed this idea. Rather, they are considered to be a mixture of both genders, and in a constant search for beauty.

They are accepted by society, and it is said that it is a blessing for a family to have a Muxe at home because they are hardworking and care for their parents when they get older.

In my photographic journey, I started documenting their day-to-day lives, doing portraits of them in their homes and in their jobs. However, with the passing of time, this project became very personal and exciting. I started to establish a special relationship with them. I started to become their friend and learned more about their dreams and fantasies. At the same time, I was trying to discover my own sexual identity and where I belong in the fascinating and sensual world of the Muxes." —Nelson Morales

About the Artist

Nelson Morales was born in Unión Hidalgo, Oaxaca and has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Sciences from the José Vasconcelos University of Oaxaca.

Since 2008, he has dedicated himself completely to photography and has studied in various educational programs of contemporary photography in Mexico. His work focuses mainly on issues of gender, body, identity and sexual diversity. His work has been exhibited in both individual and collective exhibitions in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Portugal, Malaysia, India, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States, and Mexico.

His work has been published in Aperture, New York Times, Vogue Italia, Vogue México, Vice, Mexicanísimo, TETU, Loeil de la photograpie, The British Journal of photography, Musée Magazine, Der Greif and others. In 2018, he published his first Photobook, Musas Muxe, followed by Fantastic Woman which was published in 2019.

He currently teaches photography workshops and develops his personal projects focused on sexual diversity in Mexico and Latin America.

On View: November 12 – December 18, 2021

Location: Filter Space | 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 207

This exhibition was partially sponsored by The Illinois Arts Council Agency.