by Michael Blanding
Elyla (whose name is pronounced El-EE-la, and who uses gender-neutral pronouns) has long staged provocative public performances, often involving symbolic costumes and rituals. “The so-called socialist left in my country has systematically undermined LGBTQ rights and erased our histories,” says Elyla, who fled Nicaragua after receiving death threats. “Any activist or artist who is a dissident voice under such a dictatorial regime is at risk of repression, persecution and death.”
Now, with a grant from the Artist Protection Fund and support from the Bucknell Ekard Artist Residency fund, Elyla has refuge at Bucknell this academic year. As an artist- in-residence, Elyla worked with students in dedicated studio space developing resistance artwork for a show March 4.
Elyla (whose name is pronounced El-EE-la, and who uses gender-neutral pronouns) has long staged provocative public performances, often involving symbolic costumes and rituals. “The so-called socialist left in my country has systematically undermined LGBTQ rights and erased our histories,” says Elyla, who fled Nicaragua after receiving death threats. “Any activist or artist who is a dissident voice under such a dictatorial regime is at risk of repression, persecution and death.”
Now, with a grant from the Artist Protection Fund and support from the Bucknell Ekard Artist Residency fund, Elyla has refuge at Bucknell this academic year. As an artist- in-residence, Elyla worked with students in dedicated studio space developing resistance artwork for a show March 4.