Context Library Series

This Fall 2024, the University Library is proud to exhibit impresiones by Salvador de la Torre. Impresiones is an intimate and empowering collection of prints and ceramics that capture Salvador de la Torre's body before and after top surgery, not only symbolizing their physical healing but also their journey of self-acceptance. 

The exhibition's title, impresiones, plays on the dual meaning of physical prints and the lasting impressions formed by someone or something. Through printmaking, de la Torre offers viewers a glimpse into their identity, one that honors themselves, their body, and their trans journey. Their use of prints also departs from the traditional printmaking, which typically emphasizes mass production. De la Torre, instead, uses their body as a unique printing plate, creating singular artworks that capture pivotal moments in their life. Each piece, in turn, is irreplicable and and deeply resonant. 

Throughout the collection, themes of self-acceptance resonate strongly. For instance, "Homage to my Binder" pays tribute to de la Torre's transition with a ceramic sculpture that intricately depicts their upper body, engraved with their scars and tattoo. This piece becomes a powerful testament to their own identity and transition, inviting viewers to share in their journey of empowerment and self-acceptance. 

Overall, this exhibition invites viewers into de la Torre's personal narrative. Leaving them with profound reflections on the beauty of self-acceptance and the queer body. 

To view the exhibition, visit our third floor gallery space or our online gallery.