Bio & Project Information
Nayelli Rosas is a queer, first-generation Mexican artist, and peer advocate based in San Francisco’s Mission District. Growing up in the vibrant communities of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Nayelli developed a deep cultural connection that continues to shape their artistic vision.
At 18, they moved to San Francisco for college, where the city’s diversity and creativity profoundly influenced their work. Nayelli is a multimedia artist working across ceramics, printmaking, and photography, with a growing focus on using photography to highlight queer communities and their stories.
Currently, Nayelli is creating a series of prints with the Queer Ancestors Project, exploring the complexities of queer identity and ancestry in pre-colonial contexts. They are also an active member of the ceramics community at Artillery AG, where they teach, manage social media, and help build meaningful connections within the space.
Nayelli’s work is deeply inspired by their experiences as a peer advocate for queer and trans communities. They believe in amplifying the visibility of these communities in the art world and beyond. Through their art, Nayelli seeks to spark dialogue, foster community, and contribute decolonizing ways of thinking.
Through the ReGen Artist Fund, Nayelli will explore the complexities of queer relationships within the Latinx community, focusing on the intersections of identity, culture, and societal expectations. The creative process unfolds through multiple stages including; interviews, portraits, video documentation, and audio recordings. By documenting diverse experiences of queer Latinx individuals and exploring both platonic intimacy and partnerships, Nayelli will uplift their voices and challenge societal norms, and inspire others to embrace their authentic selves, fostering a greater understanding of the beauty and complexity of queer love in all its forms.