Internationally acclaimed photographer and activist Lola Flash brings more than four decades of visionary practice to Goucher College as the 2026 Nancy G. Unobskey Visiting Artist Series in Modern & Contemporary Art. Flash’s lecture and accompanying exhibition invite audiences into a powerful exploration of identity, visibility, and the transformative potential of portraiture.

Working at the forefront of genderqueer visual politics, Flash’s photography challenges and reimagines how we see race, gender, sexuality, and age. Their work—rooted deeply in social justice, community advocacy, and a commitment to preserving the legacies of LGBTQIA+ and communities of color—has shaped conversations about representation and equity in contemporary art and culture.

Flash’s artistic journey began in New York City during the AIDS crisis, where they were an active member of ACT UP and a recognizable presence in the 1989 “Kissing Doesn’t Kill” campaign. Since then, their compelling images—from early cross-color photography to intimate large-format portraits—have documented and celebrated lives too often rendered invisible.

Their work is in the permanent collections of world-renowned institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Brooklyn Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The Silber Gallery exhibition will feature significant selections from Flash’s influential practice, offering audiences a rare opportunity to engage with images that confront stereotypes and expand our visual understanding of human experience.

Solo Exhibition
April 16 to May 28, 2026 | Silber Gallery

Artist Lecture
April 17, 2026 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Hyman Forum

Admission
Free for Goucher students, faculty, and staff; open to the public. Tickets recommended.

Photo Credit: Ryan Pfluger