ABOUT THE Work

In an effort to resurface the “messy” and “sucio” spirits of queer Latino and lesbian ghosts from gentrified sites in San Francisco, Ibarra, strangers and friends occupied five former queer Latino and Lesbian bars in San Francisco. Together the group made alters, wrote messages, imprinted their bodies, pleasures and kisses onto the phantom walls of beloved queer venues —

Esta Noche (1979 – 2014)
La India Bonita (late 70s – 1996)
Amelia’s (1978 – 1991)
The Lexington (1997- 2015)
and Osento (1979 – 2008)

Strangers and friends occupied each location, sipped on spirits, danced in alleys, made out, and posted counterfeit “Public Notices of Application for Ownership Change”  while 1990s footage of queer Latinos and Lesbians in the former bars was projected onto walls.