UNDOCUMENTED
Gustavo Lopes
In the embrace of visual storytelling, I share a space where my silenced story of being an undocumented immigrant can unfold, resonate, and empower. As a passionate photographer, a queer individual, and a person of color, I have embarked on a transformative journey capturing images that speak for the narrative of my life in this country. Through my lens, I aim to reveal my experiences and what transcends borders, prejudices, and legal constraints.
U N D O C U M E N T E D is not merely an exhibition; it's a personal story and a conduit for connection, empathy, and change. I recognize that my own intersectional identity allows me to approach this project with a unique perspective — one that bridges my personal struggles as a Brazilian queer person of color with the resilience demonstrated by those navigating the complexities of life as undocumented immigrants.
Each photograph in this exhibition, arranged alongside images from my childhood, is a piece of a larger mosaic, delicately woven together to form a narrative of my life experiences. I strive to capture the moments that lay bare the strength within individuals, the bonds formed within communities, and the beauty of cultural diversity that thrives within the human experience.
Gustavo Lopes is a Brazilian artist based in Brooklyn, NY. He is the creator of Riis is Burning, a collection of 40 portraits taken at Jacob Riis Beach. This work served as the basis of his most recent solo exhibition, “Corpos,” which was presented by Westlab + Gallery at Ornithology Jazz Club in November 2022.

The Wall, 2022, 13 x 20 in, $450 framed. 2/2 available.

Seven Years of Misfortune, 2023. Not for Sale.

American Dream I, 2022, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. 1/2 available.

American Dream II, 2022, 5 x 7 in, $100 framed. 2/2 available.

Borderless, 2021, 5 x 7 in, $100 framed. 1/2 available.

Family, 2022, 8 x 12 in, $200 framed. 1/2 available.

Core, 2017, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. 2/2 available.

Eden, 2017, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. Sold Out.

Power, 2022, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. 2/2 available.

Contentment, 2017, 8 x 12 in, $200 framed. 1/2 available.

Promise, 2018, 5 x 7 in, $100 framed. 1/2 available.

Isolation, 2021, 13 x 20 in, $450 framed. 1/2 available.

Social Security, 2018, 5 x 7 in, $100 framed. 1/2 available.

Battle, 2023, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. Sold Out.

Candid, 2023, 4 x 6 in, $100 framed. 1/2 available.

Idyll, 2019, 5 x 7 in, $100 framed. 1/2 available.

Shadowed, 2023, 13 x 20 in, $450 framed. 1/2 available.

Tribe, 2023, 8 x 12 in, $180 framed. 1/2 available.

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, 2023. Not for Sale.
