I am Very Lucky, Very Lucky to be Trans, 2022

Installation view of I am Very Lucky, Very Lucky to be Trans (2022) at the San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art. Courtesy of Marcel Pardo Ariza, OCHI, and SFMOMA. Photo by Katherine Du Tiel.

Image Gardeners, 2022

Image Gardeners, McEvoy Foundation for the Arts

Todes Juntes: Salimatu, Janpi, Juanita, Honey, Julián, Vertel, Juan, Matti, Alex y yo, 2022

Temporary Mural located at NeueHouse Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Kin Skin, 2019

Inkjet print

24 x 18 in (61 x 45.7 cm)

I'm too sad to tell you (after Bas Jan Ader, in different times), 2017

Pigment print

22 x 16 in (55.9 x 40.6 cm)

Salimatu I, 2021

Archival inkjet print, 1/8" nonglare plex face mount with a 3mm sintra back, oak frame

24 x 20 in (61 x 50.8 cm)

Lu & HH, 2021

Archival inkjet print, 1/8" nonglare plex face mount with a 3mm sintra back, oak frame

24 x 20 in (61 x 50.8 cm)

Louis & Gabriele, 2021

Archival inkjet print, 1/8" nonglare plex face mount with a 3mm sintra back, oak frame

23 x 16 in (58.4 x 40.6 cm)

Jovs, Kat, Tyler & Anthony, 2021

Archival inkjet print, 1/8" nonglare plex face mount with a 3mm sintra back, oak frame

24 x 20 in (61 x 50.8 cm)

Les hermanes, 2021

Archival inkjet print, 1/8" nonglare plex face mount with a 3mm sintra back, oak frame

30 x 24 in (76.2 x 61 cm)

Marcel Pardo Ariza is a trans non-binary visual artist, curator, and cultural worker. Their work explores the relationship of representation, intergenerational kinship, and queerness through constructed photographs and site-specific installations. Through staging and collaboration, Ariza assembles sets as sites of possibility—where stories can be (re)built and alternative and attainable present and future narratives can be realized. Ariza engages a different set of aesthetic concerns post-camera, pushing back against the often rigid and arbitrary constraints predetermined by the discourse of photography. With playful curiosity, they approach the history and materiality of photography as fluid aspects of identity in constant need of deconstruction. Ariza’s practice is invested in creating long term interdisciplinary collaborations and opportunities that are non-hierarchical and equitable.

Ariza (b. 1991, Bogotá, Colombia) received their MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and is the recipient of various awards including a 2022 SECA (Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art) Art Award; 2020 San Francisco Artadia Award; 2018-2019 Alternative Exposure Award; 2017 Tosa Studio Award; and a 2015 Murphy & Cadogan Contemporary Art Award. Their work has been exhibited at venues including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR; Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Springs, CA; Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, SFMOMA, KADIST, Southern Exposure, SOMArts, San José Institute of Contemporary Art, San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries, CULT exhibitions, and the Luggage Store Gallery all located in the San Francisco Bay Area; and OCHI in Los Angeles, CA. They have been a visiting artist at various institutions including CCA, SFAI, Stanford, UCSF, Harvard University, California State University Monterey Bay, San José State University, Mills College, UC Berkeley, and the San José Museum of Art. Ariza currently lives and works in Oakland, CA where they co-founded Art Handlxrs*, a group dedicated to the support and growth of BIPOC, queer, non-binary, and trans people, and womxn* in the professional arts industry as preparators, art handlxrs, technicians, fabricators, and other industry support roles, and is also a member of Minnesota Project Studios and the Emeryville Artists Coop.

 

EDUCATION

2016

MFA, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA

2013

BA, Earlham College, Richmond, IN

2009

IB, United World College, San José, Costa Rica

Solo & Two-Person Exhibitions

2021

After Touch, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA

2020

Double Exposure, Richmond Art Museum, Richmond, IN
This is Weird Without You, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA (online)

2019

Spillage, Guerrero Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2018

Conversation 7, with Farah Al Qasimi, San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Burn Notice, with Conrad Guevara, Tmoro Projects, Santa Clara, CA

2017

Slow Clap, R/SF Projects, San Francisco, CA
Otro, De:Formal Gallery, New York, NY

2016

El Hábito, Bass & Reiner, San Francisco, CA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025

Histórias LGBTQIA+,, Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Brazil

2024

I'll Be Your Mirror: Reflections of the Contemporary Queer, organized by Mighty Real/Queer Detroit, Detroit Artists Market, Detroit, MI

2023

Queer-ish, curated by Ken Gonzales-Day, Ruth Chandler Williamson Art Gallery, Scripps College, Claremont, CA
Distribuidx, curated by César García-Alvarez, Lisson Gallery, New York, NY
Have You Seen Me?, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Dismantling Monoliths, SF Camerawork, San Francisco, CA

2022

SECA Art Award Exhibition, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA
Sueñx, The Mistake Room, Los Angeles, CA
ALL OF US ALL OF US, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA
Creative Attention: Art and Community Restoration, Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto, CA
Image Gardeners, McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, CA

2021

Ginga, Chandran Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Janus II, CULT Exhibitions, San Francisco, CA

2020

Esta Historia No Es la Historia, Espacio Odeón, Bogotá, CO
State of the Art 2020, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR
Aquí Estamos, Queer Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA
What Does Liberation Look & Feel Like?, HOT BITS Traveling Queer XXX Festival

2019

Touching History, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
Sense of Self, Institute of Contemporary Art San José, San José, CA

2018

Bay Area Now 8, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Female Trouble, CULT Exhibitions, San Francisco, CA
RELAY II, Slide Space 123, Oakland, CA
Group Show, UNTITLED, presented by Guerrero Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2017

The Black Infinity, NoPlace Gallery, Columbus, Ohio
Kah-meel-E-yun, curated by Yarrow Slaps, Pro Arts, Oakland, CA
Lil’ Swim, Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Bestiario/Menagerie, Adobe Backroom Gallery, San Francisco, CA

2016

Shaky Towns Vol. 2, The Battery, San Francisco, CA
#Simulacra, Embark Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Commons Dilemma, Gallery Route One, Point Reyes, CA
Om I’m Home, Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Shaky Towns, VOL I. Alter Space, San Francisco, CA
Yaocihuatl, Social Policy, San José, CA
MFA SFAI Exhibition, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA
Mistaken Impressions, Root Division, San Francisco, CA

2015

So·lil·o·quy, Swell Gallery, San Francisco, CA
PARANOIA, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco, CA

AWARDS & RESIDENCIES

2023

Print Public Municipal Artist in Residence, Kala Art Institute, Berkeley, CA

Artist Residency, 500 Capp Street Foundation, San Francisco, CA

2022

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art SECA (Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art) Art Award, San Francisco, CA

2020

San Francisco Artadia Award, San Francisco, CA

Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco, CA

2019

Alternative Exposure Grant, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, CA

YBCA 100 Honoree, Art Handlxrs, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA

2017

Tosa Studio Award, Minnesota Street Projects, San Francisco, CA

2016

Graduate Student Recognition Award, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA

2015

Murphy & Cadogan Contemporary Art Award, San Francisco Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, CA

2012

Mary Jane Harvey Memorial Award, Earlham College Theater Arts Department, Richmond, IN

W. Ray Stevens Jr. Memorial Award, Earlham College, Richmond, IN

SELECTED CURATORIAL PROJECTS, MURALS, & EVENTS

2024

All The Night We Got To Dance, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Historical Society, LINE San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

2023

Orquídeas, 500 Capp Street Foundation, San Francisco, CA

2022

Juanita: 30 Years of MORE, San Francisco Arts Commission, CA
Selected Curatorial Mural, Sunset Boulevard Mural, NeueHouse, Hollywood, CA

2021

Fierce Bloom, Noe Art Mart, San Francisco, CA

2019

The Tallest Part of the Arch, Southern Exposure, San Francisco, CA

SELECTED ARTIST TALKS

2023

Héroes Locales, SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA
Trans Leaders / Caring Futures,, San Francisco Public Library, CA

2022

odes Juntes: In Conversation with Marcel Pardo Ariza and Chris Vargas, NeueHouse Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA
Caring Futures: Trans Visual Culture, Representation, and the Media, NeueHouse Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA

2021

Conversation with Dan Paz and Jeanne Vacarro, OCHI, Los Angeles, CA
Hidden Figures: The City, Architecture, and the Construction of Race and Gender, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

2020

Artist Talk, Mills College, Oakland, CA
Artist Lecture, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
Artist Lecture, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AK
Visiting Artist Lecture, San José Museum of Art, San José, CA

2019

Artist Lecture, California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Artist Lecture, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs, CA
Visiting Artist Presentation, California State University Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay, CA
Artist Talk, San José State University, San José, CA
Artist Lecture, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Artist Lecture, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

2018

Visiting Artist Lecture, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Artist Lecture, Mills College, Oakland, CA
Artist Talk, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA

2017

Artist Lecture, The Painting Salon, San Francisco, CA

2016

Visiting Artist Lecture, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA
Visiting Artist Lecture, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2024

Harshaw, Pendarvis and Marisol Medina-Cadena. “All The Nights We Got to Dance is a Tribute to Queer Nightlife in SF," KQED, Jun. 27

2023

Yudess, Belén. “Nothing more Joy-ish than Queer-ish: A Snapshot of “Queer-ish: Photography and the LGBTQ+ Imaginary," The Scripps Voice, Nov. 10
Bieschke, Marke. “Arts Forecast," 48 Hills, Oct. 19
Voynovskaya, Nastia. “500 Capp Street Becomes a Trans Sanctuary in Marcel Pardo Ariza’s ‘Orquídeas,’", KQED, Oct. 16
Lu, Xueer and Junyao Yang. “Stuff to Do: Trans Joy, SF Cemeteries, and a Conference for BIPOC writers," Mission Local, Oct. 13
“Venables Bell + Partners Announces Art and Activism Exhibition in Support of LGBTQIA+ Mental Health," Little Black Book, Aug. 2
Wilson, Emily. “Photography’s Power to Dismantle Orthodoxies," Hyperallergic, Mar. 13
Bravo, Tony. “Datebook: 5 SECA artists at SFMOMA show the vivid present and promising future of Bay Area art," San Francisco Chronicle, Mar. 8
Quick, Genevieve. “Dismantling Monoliths’ poetically highlights the right to turn yourself away," 48 Hills, Feb. 27
Blue, Max. “Five gallery shows not to miss in San Francisco," San Francisco Examiner, Feb. 6
Hewitt, Vita. “Meet Marcel Pardo Ariza: Curator, Educator, and Trans Visual Artist You Should Know," Broke Ass Stuart, Feb. 2
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “SECA Brings the Refreshing Art of Here and Now to SFMOMA," KQED, Jan. 18
Blue, Max. “SFMOMA SECA Awards Reveal What Bay Area Art Is Today," San Francisco Examiner, Jan. 17

2022

García-Alvarez, César. “Marcel Pardo Ariza Captures Love In 'Constructed Photographs,'", CULTURED, Oct. 4
Voon, Claire. “San Francisco artists will receive $1,000 per month as part of a guaranteed income pilot programme," The Art Newspaper, Jul. 19
Burns, Sean. “Five Emerging Photographers to Watch," Frieze, Apr. 28
Bowie, Summer. “After Touch: Portraits of Caring Connection in the Face of Global Fracture @ OCHI in Los Angeles," AUTRE, Oct. 5

2021

Lindeman, Scarlett. “Reexamining the Hidden Figures of Design: A Class on Belonging by Hansy Better Barraza," Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Aug. 20
Emery, Millicent Martin. “Local professor, former student team for ‘Double Exposure’ show," Western Wayne News, Feb. 17
Emery, Mike. “2 photographers exhibit in Richmond Art Museum," Richmond Palladium-Item, Feb. 15

2020

Seikaly, Roula. “At Bus Stops Around San Francisco, Radiant Photos of the City’s LGBTQ Communities," Hyperallergic, Dec. 4
Wong, Harley. “Amid COVID-19, These Artists Are Making Sure Local Businesses Aren’t Forgotten," Artsy, Jun. 25
Batey, Eve. “Mission Artists Adorn Shuttered Restaurants’ Plywood With Messages of Hope," Eater San Francisco, Apr. 28
Seikaly, Roula. “Artists Reflect on the Sudden Closing of San Francisco Art Institute," Humble Arts Foundation, Apr. 6
Farr, Kristin. “Marcela Pardo Ariza: Try a Little Tenderness," Juxtapoz, Mar. 1

2019

Hellu, Jamil. “Q&A: Marcela Pardo Ariza," Strange Fire, Sep. 12
Rhoades, Kate + Maysoun Wazwaz. “Bluets (with Marcela Pardo Ariza)," Congratulations Pine Tree, Ep. 203, Apr. 6
Adams, Amanda + Nicole Mueller. “Marcel Pardo Ariza," Beyond the Studio, Sea. 2 Ep. 15, Mar. 31

2018

Vargas, Louis. “Marcela Pardo Ariza & The Tallest Part of the Arch," The (art)Scene Podcast, Mar. 29
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “Womxn Art Handlers Carefully Deinstall Glass Ceiling of the Preparator World," KQED, Oct. 25
suarez porras, tamara. “Fold, Staple, Embrace: The Body Alive in the Archive," Art Practical, Oct. 16
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “Expansive, Exciting ‘Bay Area Now 8’ Lives Up to Its Name at YBCA," KQED, Sep. 7
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “Photographers Reveal Through Concealment in SFAC’s ‘Conversation 7,’", KQED, Jul. 16
“SF’s Newest Art Space SWIM Gallery Opens Their Doors With An Exhibition Called ‘MONstars,’", Juxtapoz, Mar. 14
Hotchkiss, Sarah. “At Santa Clara’s tmoro projects, Still Lifes Enter Other Dimensions," KQED, Mar. 5

2017

Vargas, Louis. “Episode 22: Marcela Pardo Ariza," The (art)Scene Podcast, Oct. 6
Seikaly, Roula. “Marcela Pardo Ariza: Slow Clap at R/SF," Photograph Magazine, Oct. 1
Enos, Joey. “KunstCapades Episode 67," KunstCapades, Nov. 20
Demarais, Charles. “Fall Season brings rich gallery openings," San Francisco Chronicle, Sep. 13
“Marcela Pardo Ariza’s ‘Slow Clap,’", Juxtapoz, Aug. 22
Bamberger, Alan. “Marcel Pardo Ariza – Slow Clap," ArtBusiness.com, Sep. 8
Desmarais, Charles. “An art exhibition composed only of color and light," SF Gate, Mar. 1
Seikaly, Roula. “Bestiario/Menagerie," Venison Magazine, Jan. 16

2016

Szydlowski, Clare. “Marcel Pardo Ariza," Venison Magazine, Autumn
Vargas, Louis. “Episode 12: Mariel Bayona," The (art)Scene Podcast, Dec. 1
Bamberger, Alan. “El Hábito – Marcel Pardo Ariza & Lorena Zertuche Díaz," ArtBusiness.com, Nov. 4
Weidman, Michelle. “Secret Letters," Congratulations Pine Tree, Ep. 91, Jun. 22
Seikaly, Roula. “West Coast MFA Dispatch: Highlights from the Recent Graduates of Mills College, California College of the Arts and San Francisco Art Institute," Humble Arts Foundation, Jun. 8
Bamberger, Alan. “MFA Exhibition – Fort Mason," ArtBusiness.com
“In Focus: MFA 2016 – Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Francis Calimlim, Marcel Pardo Ariza," San Francisco Art Institute, May 10 (video), Harbour, Aaron. “Mistaken Impressions at Root Division," Curiously Direct

2015

Leber, Izidora. “So.lil.o.quy Review," Swell Gallery, Dec. 23
Wang, Xiao. “Thoughtful Musings on ‘This is Not a Painting’ Exhibition," Embark Gallery, Sep. 29
Valle, Jackie. “Milhojas Review," Swell Gallery, Mar. 23

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, CA

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Meet the Art Basel Awards 2025 winners
    Wallpaper
    May 15, 2025
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Thirty-Six Visionaries Recognized in Landmark Global Honors Celebrating the Contemporary Art World
    Art Basel
    May 15, 2025
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza

    Grace Wales Bonner and Lubaina Himid are among 36 medalists for Art Basel Awards 2025.

    Artsy

    May 15, 2025

    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza

    Art Basel Awards name inaugural medalists including artists, curators and patrons

    The Art Newspaper

    May 15, 2025

    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza

    Meet the Winners of the First Art Basel Awards

    Hypebeast

    May 15, 2025

    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza

    For Bay Area artist Marcel Pardo Ariza, representation matters

    Bay Area Reporter

    January 23, 2025

    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    On collaborating with your own community
    The Creative Independent
    January 22, 2025
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Remembering Adela Vázquez, Beloved Trans Activist and Performer
    KQED
    October 24, 2024
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    ‘All The Nights We Got to Dance’ is a Tribute to Queer Nightlife in SF
    KQED
    June 27, 2024
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza

    SF Pride honors community members

    Bay Area Reporter

    March 6, 2024

    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Episode 17: Photographer and Installation Artist Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Art is Awesome
    January 16, 2024
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza & Ohan Breiding
    Nothing more Joy-ish than Queer-ish
    The Scripps Voice
    November 10, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    500 Capp Street Becomes a Trans Sanctuary in Marcel Pardo Ariza’s ‘Orquídeas’
    KQED
    October 16, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Stuff To Do
    Mission Local
    October 13, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    SFMoMA Acquires I Am Very Lucky, Very Lucky to be Trans, 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Venables Bell + Partners Announces Art and Activism Exhibition in Support of LGBTQIA+ Mental Health
    Little Black Book
    August 2, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    ‘Dismantling Monoliths’ poetically highlights the right to turn yourself away
    48 Hills
    February 27, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    5 SECA artists at SFMOMA show the vivid present & promising future of Bay Area art
    Tony Bravo 
    March 8, 2023
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Marcel Pardo Ariza Captures Love In 'Constructed Photographs'
    CULTURED
    October 4, 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    SF Artists receive $1,000 per month as guaranteed income
    The Art Newspaper
    July 19, 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    5 Bay Area artists named 2022 winners for prestigious SECA Award
    San Francisco Chronicle
    May 3, 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    FRIEZE:
    Five Emerging Photographers to Watch
    Issue 227 / May 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    The Eye of Photography:
    CatchLight 2022 Visual Storytelling Summit
    Institute of Contemporary Arts San Francisco
    April 19 - 20, 2022
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    SFMOMA:
    2022 SECA Art Award Finalists
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Creative Attention Artist Residency Conversation
    with Christine Wong Yap and Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Palo Alto Art Center Foundation Online
    3/4/22
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    SF Chronicle: Even in a pandemic,
    spending time with artists remains
    the best thing about San Francisco art week
    1/22/22
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    Group Show: 'Image Gardeneers'
    Experimental portrait photography
    from the McEvoy Family Collection
    1/14/22
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    After Touch:
    Marcel Pardo Ariza in
    conversation with Dan Paz.
    10/18/21
    LINK

  • Marcel Pardo Ariza
    AUTRE
    After Touch: Portraits of Caring Connection
    in the Face of Global Fracture
    @ Ochi Projects in Los Angeles
    10/5/21
    LINK

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