Fabian Cháirez

Fabián Cháirez (b. 1987, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico) is a visual artist recognized for his provocative representations of masculinity and sexual diversity. He graduated in Visual Arts from the University of Sciences and Arts of Chiapas.

Throughout his career, he has exhibited his work in Mexico, the United States, and Europe, both individually and collectively. His pieces have been exhibited in such prominent venues as the Palace of Fine Arts in Mexico City, the Museum of Modern Art in Mexico, the Neomudéjar Museum in Madrid, and the Vila Casas Foundation.

Cháirez’s work challenges traditional representations of masculinity, often portraying racialized individuals and LGBTQ+ people to question and subvert prevailing visual stereotypes. Her work addresses themes such as racism, machismo, and classism, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive narrative within Mexican culture.

One of his most emblematic pieces, The Revolution (2014), popularly known as Gay Zapata , generated great controversy and intense debate after its exhibition at the National Palace of Fine Arts.

In 2025, his exhibition The Coming of the Lord was canceled by court order following conservative pressure. The exhibition, which included erotic depictions of religious figures, was accused of “attacking faith.” A little over a week later, following a demonstration against the censorship of the play, a federal judge rejected the Christian Lawyers Association’s (CLA) lawsuit and allowed its reopening.

Beyond the traditional gallery setting, Chaírez has also worked as a creative director, bringing his art to leisure and nightclub settings. This comprehensive approach has consolidated his position as one of the key figures in contemporary art and the LGBTQ+ community in Mexico.