Black Queer Role Models: Painting for Unity & Love is Love, Love is Not a Crime

This combined series celebrates humanity in all its diversity. Love is Love, Love is Not a Crime highlights that sexual orientation is as old and natural as humankind, nobody’s business to judge or confine. Alongside Black Queer Role Models: Painting for Unity, it challenges the boxes society imposes and shows that acceptance fosters harmony, not hate. Hate is easy; conversation and understanding lead to recognition, respect, and connection. Through these portraits, I explore identity, resilience, and the transformative power of seeing one another fully.

black queer role models, painting for unity

Karin Merx, 2022, Portrait Aisha Shaibu-Lenoir, Oil on Canvas, 50 x 50 cm
Karin Merx, 2022, Portrait Char Bailey, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 45 xm
Karin Merx, 2022, Portrait Tash Thomas, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 35 cm
Karin Merx, 2022, Portrait Nate Ethan, Acrylic on Canvas, 36 x 45 cm
Karin Merx, 2022, Portrait Kuchenga Shenjé, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 45 cm
Karin Merx, 2022, Elizabeth Amisu, oil on canvas, 50×50 cm, private collection
Karin Merx, 2018, Portrait Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, watercolour on paper, 42 x 29 cm, private collection
Karin Merx, 2020, Portrait Audre Lorde, 60 x 40 cm, oil on canvas, private collection
Karin Merx, 2019, Portrait Angela Davis, Charcoal, 29 x 42 cm
Karin Merx, 2020, Portrait Marsha P. Johnson, oil on canvas, 60 x 40 cm
Karin Merx, 2020, Nina Simone, oil on canvas, 30 x 60 cm
Karin Merx, 2022, portraits and poems, Black Queer Role Models: Painting For Unity, Paperback, High Quality Paper. Book Available

love is love, love is not a crime

Karin Merx, 2024/25, Tash, Marthe & Sutton, oil on gallery primed board, 30 x 30 cm
Karin Merx, 2024, Pez & Sebastian, oil on canvas, 46 x 36 cm
Karin Merx, 2024, Mark & Chelvan Eternal Love, Oil on Gallery Stretched Linen, 60 x 80 cm, Private Collection