The Back Room

Marcel Pardo Ariza (b. Bogotá, Colombia) (they/he) is a trans visual artist, educator, and curator who explores queer kinship through photographs, site-specific installations, and public programming. Their work is rooted in dialogue and collaboration with trans and queer friends and peers—many of whom are performers, artists, policymakers, and community organizers. Their practice celebrates collective care and intergenerational connection, emphasizing long-term, interdisciplinary collaborations that are non-hierarchical and equitable.

Ariza’s work has recently been exhibited at Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) in Brazil; Espacio Odeón in Bogotá, Colombia; Lisson Gallery in NYC; SFMOMA; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; Palo Alto Art Center; SFAC; YBCA; Palm Springs Art Museum; and the ICA San José. They are the recipient of the 2022 SFMOMA SECA Award, the 2021 CAC Established Artists Award, the 2020 San Francisco Artadia Award and the 2017 Tosa Studio Award. Ariza is currently an Assistant Professor of Photography at California College of the Arts and the co-founder of Art Handlxrs. They serve on the board of El/La Para Trans Latinas and have been a member of The Transgender District's Community Advisory. They are represented by OCHI gallery in Los Angeles.