Manny’s: June Artist – Julio Pina

Come join us for the June art opening featuring Julio Pina.

Artist Statement – Julio Pina

There’s something sacred about queers in the sun. Especially by a pool. Especially with barely any clothes and zero shame. This series is a soft and cheeky celebration of queer intimacy, play, and the way we pose — for the camera, for each other, for ourselves. Three men were scattered across a pool deck, lost in their own little rituals. One sprawled out tanning, one crouched by the edge deep in thought, one standing tall and ready for whatever’s next. It feels like a quiet ode to friendship, flirtation, and those timeless in-between moments. If Palm Springs is to L.A. what Guerneville is to San Francisco, then this photo is a postcard from that sweet in-between — a little gay, a little lonely, a little perfect. I shoot mostly on film because I like the mistakes. The grain, the blur, the softness — they make the images feel more like memories than documentation. Some shots are silly, some tender, some just plain horny. Together, they ask us to reflect: on our younger selves, our bodies, our joy, and our ridiculousness. Each photo plays with intimacy, performance, and softness — both literal and emotional. The camera becomes a friend, a mirror, a time machine.

— Julio Piña