Student lets art tell the story on behalf of himself and the LGBTQ+ community

Supporting the community through the work he creates

By California State University, Bakersfield

December 15^th, 2020

Studio art major and senior Christian Rodriguez at California State University, Bakersfield, wasn’t aware of the many techniques and ways he could express and display his art until he took art professor, Sarah Vanderlip’s class.

“She has really showed me what you can do with art, and the kind of meanings it can take on,” said Rodriguez. “That’s pretty much where it all started, and how I got into the pieces I’m currently making.”

Rodriguez found it interesting that you can create such strong and empowering messages through the various pieces created.

“From the very start of working together in sculpture class last year, Christian knew he could use his art to expand his voice. Dedicated to LGTBQ+ rights — yet growing up in a conservative community — he bravely navigates a way to survive and prosper on his own terms,” said Vanderlip.

Professor Vanderlip’s advice through her classes has been: “You can make whatever you want. You have the creative freedom. You have to make sure that it’s what you want to do.”

Rodriguez recognized that art doesn’t just come in the traditional forms of painting and drawing. Art can also be explored through sculpture, installation and photography.

With each subject or topic, Rodriguez always wants to find the perfect medium to depict the message he’s trying to convey. As with most artists, it starts with planning.

Through his art, Rodriguez explores the complexities and struggle of trying to come out, how those in the community are looked at in society, and those individuals that come from religious backgrounds and how they are perceived by their families and others with the same religious beliefs.

“I focus a lot on topics that relate to the LGBTQ+ community, like the struggles, hardships and the dedication,” said Rodriguez.

That’s exactly what Rodriguez has done through his pieces.

“I don’t know why I waited until now for someone like Professor Vanderlip to tell me, ‘do it,’” said Rodriguez. He said there was something that just sparked in him and he had to go for it.

“So, I feel like if it wasn’t for Sarah, I don’t think I would be where I am,” added Rodriguez.

“His subtle touch, daily practice and thorough research of art history have resulted in a beautiful, poignant body of work. Designed to rectify issues of injustice and discrimination and champion the LGTBQ+ community at large, his work reminds us that equality is still to come. His exceptional work ethic, generous demeanor and sensitivity to the subject has inspired me and his classmates,” Vanderlip added.

His professor isn’t the only one he’s been inspired by, though.

Félix González-Torres, a queer contemporary artist, has also inspired Rodriguez.

“Just a little, simple thing can literally mean so much,” Rodriguez described of González-Torres’ art. “His pieces are very subjective, yet so soft and you would have never imagined that piece meant what he was trying to communicate.

Some of González-Torres’ art pieces include a tribute to his partner who died of AIDS.

“I feel like with art you don’t really have to do a lot to get your message across — I would say Félix González-Torres is really a big inspiration for me. I feel like I'm continuing that legacy within queer art,” said Rodriguez.

Taking the inspiration of his favorite artist, Rodriguez pairs his art with his own life experiences.

Although he was picked on in middle school, he didn’t tell his parents because he didn’t want to explain the reason why he was being bullied.

In high school people didn’t bully Rodriguez, but coming out was still hard for him to do.

Rodriguez didn’t actually come out to his parents. They were curious to know when finding out he posted a photo on Facebook with a guy whom he liked at the time.

After addressing it with Rodriguez, he admitted to his parents that he did like boys and how he was feeling. His stepdad and mom were very warm and accepting of it, as were the rest of his family after he officially announced to his other relatives through a Facebook post.

Telling his biological dad was hard, as well. Again, his dad didn’t find out directly from Rodriguez. When he did, it took him a bit to process. More so, because he had his son’s best interest at heart and worried about what it might mean as he navigated through life but accepted and loved him for who he is.

“I want people to know that there’s someone out there who’s at least trying to do something about these issues. It’s like with rights and everything that’s going on in the world right now, I feel like LGBTQ+ rights keep getting pushed back. They keep getting pushed back and we’re not being looked at as a priority,” said Rodriguez. “I feel like I’m the only one doing something about these issues through my art.”

Student lets art tell the story on behalf of himself and the LGBTQ+ community

Through his time at CSUB, he has found his voice and who he is as an artist.

“I know that can be difficult at times,” said Rodriguez, knowing some of his classmates are struggling to find who they are as artists, what they want to do and how they want to expand their work.

Rodriguez graduated high school in 2015 but was part of the MultiMedia Academy at East Bakersfield High School where he learned few Adobe programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, creating and producing graphics for his assignments. After graduating high school, he then went to school at Bakersfield College (BC) and worked at their Office of Student Life as a graphic designer. After graduating BC in 2019, he transitioned to currently now working in CSUB’s Campus Programming office as a graphic designer. His expression and creativity through his work has only continued to grow and expand.

The professors and coworkers he’s had at CSUB have all been supportive and helpful during his journey on campus, but this is just the beginning for Rodriguez.