Drawn Together (2021)
legal Intervention
collaboration with Yxta Maya Murray, Mira Dayal, Simon Wu, and Anaïs Duplan
Cuchifritos Gallery
This collaborative intervention takes the form of a legal intervention into the organizational bylaws of Cuchifritos Gallery. The project aims to repair the contractual relationships between art institutions, artists, curators, and art workers. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, Cuchifritos Gallery is committed to “advancing the vision of emerging and underrepresented artists and curators.” The project is inspired by the etymological roots of legal contractual language, which originate in care, mutuality, and healing.
In an effort to close the gap between the Gallery’s stated mission and its practices, we hosted a series of story-telling circles and workshops with twenty-five BIPOC emerging artists and curators to gather their experiences (and horror stories) of contracting with art institutions. Based on these workshops, we proposed a set of legal recommendations to modify the bylaws that govern Cuchifritos, and therefore also modify the organizations legal contracts. Among the changes: transparent publication of all contracts with artists, a contract mentorship program, and built-in negotiation and renegotiation periods.
Curation: Mira Dayal, Simon Wu
Videography + editing: Maia Chao & An Duplan
Legal: Yxta Maya Murray
Additional support: Jodi Waynberg, Alessandro Facente
Funding: Artists Alliance Inc
Special thanks to the workshop participants