Joyful Resistance

17.10.24 - 01.12.24

Bianca Xunise

"When life gives you guitars, smash them!"
 
What does it mean to be punk and how has it played a role in the transformative and restorative justice across the globe? The Naughton Gallery is delighted to present the first UK & Ireland solo exhibition by American cartoonist Bianca Xunise (Chicago, USA). In this bold and innovative new body of work, Xunise explores the thread that weaves together punk rock, DIY, and community change, inviting visitors on a thrilling journey through the intersecting realms of politics, activism, and music. With haunting parallels of resistance from Belfast to Chicago, Xunise utilises humour and illustration to advocate for the beauty of the underground—where grassroots resistance can be a catalyst for global revolution. 
 
Xunise is an illustrator, writer, and educator based out of Chicago, Illinois. With two Ignatz Awards under their belt, Xunise has carved out a space for those who march to the beat of their own drum, using their art to comfort and empower those who feel like outsiders. In 2020, Xunise broke new ground as the first nationally syndicated non-binary cartoonist (and the second Black woman) when they joined the iconic comic strip Six Chix as its first Black creator. Their work has also graced the pages of Vogue, The Washington Post, The Nib, and The Believer.
 
When Xunise isn’t doodling away, they are usually at an underground DIY punk show and dancing with friends by the Chicago riverside. In April 2024 their graphic novel, Punk Rock Karaoke (Penguin Teen), debuted with rave reviews.