When I got asked to curate an exhibition about the Nike Cortez, I asked myself how I can begin to showcase an important cultural signifier that has made its way through decades. In this exhibition I wanted to encapsulate what the Nike Cortez shoe means to so many people. It’s much more than a shoe-it’s a symbol, it’s memories, experiences and the artists work in the show have those conversations. The exhibition starts in the 90’s-documenting the people's style as a form of expression as well as thinking about the real life consequences of dressing that way. The work in the exhibition is subverting ideas of representation, by using strategies, improvisionation, and to have a space to honor those who have lost their lives to police and gun violence, to think of what we can hope for in the future- deconstructing images, symbols, a hope to heal from this and to celebrate the intersections that connect us. Thank you to all the artists in the exhibition for trusting me and working with me on this. Thank you everyone that helped make this exhibition and event possible. Thank you @nikela and @jarritos! The exhibition is on view until Saturday Oct 15 Thursday-Saturday 12-5pm 3006 W 7th St, STE 208, 211 Los Angeles, CA 90005 Door code 01220 Stefan Ruiz Izzy with his bike, 1990 Raul Baltazar THE INCOMMENSURABLE, EROTIC and UNATTAINABLE 2, 2017 Acrylic on canvas and wood (detail) Gary Ganas Garay Cortez, 2005 Acrylic on cardboard Manuel Lopez Chale Down, 2021 Silkscreen on wood Mitsy Avila Ovalles CortESE, 2012 Knit and fabric Photo credit Monica Orozco @demonicaphoto #LaPauGallery