Kiseno
He/Him
Barcelona, Spain
My name is Kiseno, I was born in Colombia and I currently live in Barcelona, Spain, a jeweler (Jewelry school 1492), mechanic, photographer (Prada photography school) and cook (IEGV), since 2016, I am dedicated to artistic jewelry, I exhibit Art Gallery portable y de la mano (Colombia), jewel Barcelona 2017, 66mistral gallery, La Galeller gallery, Lalabeyou gallery, Baal gallery, French Institute, Context Gallery (Spain), Not only decoration (Switzerland and France), ASgallery (Athens), II Latin American Biennial of Contemporary Jewelry (Argentina), Alliages Gallery, Espace Solidor Museum, Art Course Gallery (France), Pforzheim-Galerie (Germany), Growt and Evolution (China), Tincallab Gallery (Portugal), Studi-O Gallery ( Netherlands), first place in the ZLR jewelry awards 2019 (Germany),Revolution” snagmetalsmith, Londres 2023, "Madrugada" 2nd Lisbon Contemporary Jewelry Biennale 2024, “Strength, Faith and Substance”, National Museum of Colombia 2024, Queerphoria, Urban glass New York, USA 2024, Bene Factum, Valladolid, Spain 2025
“My means of expression is what I've called subversive jewelry, which is unwilling to follow the path of repetition and custom outlined for us by a capitalist, sexist, racist, homophobic, classist, clerical, and heteropatriarchal society that robs us of our dignity and the right to disobedience, going beyond this power that commands us to fight the other, because they are our competitors and must be seen as a threat. My work is the means I use to raise my voice and bang on the table, shouting, "Here we are, the nobodies, ready to fight for our dignity.""
How does your work relate to the theme of flourish(ing)?
“Violence against our LGBTQ+ community is a persistent and devastating problem affecting people around the world. Hate speech and discrimination can have serious consequences, from harassment and physical violence to social exclusion and marginalization.
However, the LGBTQ+ community has demonstrated great resilience and resilience in the face of adversity. Through organizing, activism, and solidarity, we have made significant progress in the fight for our rights and dignity.
The LGBTQ+ resilience is a testament to the strength and determination of our community. Together, we can continue to fight for a more just and equitable world for all.”
"Dignity", Brass, bearings, steel, and paint, 2.4” x 2.4” x .6”, 2025How does your creative practice allow you to flourish (grow, thrive, blossom)?
“In my work, denouncing, addressing social issues, inequality, and questioning the discourse that seeks to justify these abuses against the less fortunate has always been an important part of it. A few days ago, Colombian President Petro gave a speech at the UN where he raised his voice against the genocide in Gaza, and in Colombia, the media questioned him for doing that, looking for excuses as to why not to do it, including the reprisals that President Trump could take against Colombia, and the thought crossed my mind that when you do what is right, the consequences do not matter, and for me, dignity is flourishing and going beyond.”
As a queer+ artist, what would you like to see and/or what do you need in order to flourish during this time?
“To be honest, I'm proud of what I see that artists and different people do from their trades and professions, of how you see that hate speech grows but there are also these other people who are there to debate it and how as a society we unite and there we demonstrate the strength of the people, I know that there is much left to do and build and although there are times I feel that we stagnate then you see how there are people who give you back your breath.”
Anything else you would like to share about this work? This can be an important part of the process, sourcing materials, or research.
“I've had a video saved for a long time from a boy from Madrid who talks about what was taken from us LGBTIQ+ people, and these words inspired this work. I'd like to share them with you.
"I think that many LGBTIQ+ people are born developing a false personality so that we won't be seen, so that we won't be hit, so that we won't be insulted, so that we will be loved. So, pride represents just the opposite: exposing yourself, going out, celebrating, enjoying yourself. That's why it hurts me so much when there are people who want to portray pride as a sexualized party or as a party that should be kept away from children.
Pride is fundamental because it's the party of those of us who weren't invited to the party...""
Photogrphs by Ray Ramirez