Von Lintel Gallery is pleased to present Chloe Sherman’s photographs from her renowned series Renegades San Francisco: the 1990s. Sherman’s photographs provide an unparalleled look into San Francisco history as a queer cultural renaissance unfolded. In today’s political climate, where LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under attack across the United States, Sherman’s photography is more relevant than ever. It offers a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of queer communities during challenging times. By preserving these stories, the exhibition inspires younger generations to continue fighting for equality and safe spaces, while honoring those who paved the way. Chloe Sherman’s work reminds us that joy, creativity, and solidarity are acts of resistance.

This series is a window into a time of revolution and change, demonstrating a frenetic energy in even the simplest moments. It captures a time when wayward youth, outcasts and artists could show up, join forces, make new rules, work little, and live free. Offering a view of history that is crucial to the culture of San Francisco, Sherman’s photographs are timeless and relevant. They serve as a compelling ode to a unique era in the city's queer history, with a familiarity that rings true now. Known for her keen eye and remarkable ability to capture raw emotions, Sherman's work transports viewers back in time, immersing them in the city's underground scene, activism, and innovative subcultures.

As Sherman explains, “In the early 1990s, I began documenting a generation of young, self-identified queers in San Francisco's Mission District. Rent was affordable, community was palpable, and gay youth, artists, and free spirits migrated to the city to find each other. Women-owned bars, clubs, tattoo shops, galleries, and cafés proliferated, and cultural norms were eschewed in favor of a vibrant and resilient lifestyle. I was there as a new wave of feminism embraced gender-bending, butch/femme culture flourished, and transgender pioneers forged a new path.”

Chloe Sherman’s work has been exhibited in galleries internationally, including a current Group show at SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA. Her work is held in public collections such as SFMOMA, San Francisco, CA, The National Portrait Gallery, Washington DC and The Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover MA. The artist lives and works in San Francisco. Sherman’s monograph, Renegades San Francisco: the 1990s, published by Hantje Cantz, will be available at the gallery.