In the exhibition Release the Shame, Visually Impaired artist/choreographer Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez and Neurodivergent artist Branden Wallace explore the complex concept of “shame,” and how it converges with themes such as sexuality, fear, learning processes, immigration and productivity in the lives of people with disabilities. Núñez and Wallace excavate from personal memory how prejudice towards Disability has had a profound impact on their artistic practices and their own self-perception.
Photo Gallery
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Release the Shame exhibition by Christopher Núñez and Branden Wallace on display in the CoLab from September 7 - 12. Photo by Jon Sweeney
Visually Impaired artist/choreographer Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez and Neurodivergent artist Branden Wallace pose for a photo. Photo by Hope VanCleaf
ASL interpreters sign the artists conversation between moderator Jerron Herman, Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez and Branden Wallace. Photo by Hope VanCleaf
Jerron Herman moderates a conversation between Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez and Branden Wallace. Photo by Hope VanCleaf
Conversation with the Artists: Sept. 6
To open the exhibition, a conversation between the artists, Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez and collaborator Branden Wallace, facilitated by Jerron Herman, will take place on September 6 at 7 PM with a reception following.
Admission & Details
The exhibition opens at 7 PM on Sept. 6. From September 7-12, the CoLab is open daily 10 AM – 8 PM.
The exhibition, talk and reception are free and open to the public. No tickets or registration required.
Directions
Get directions to the CoLab, located on the Forum level of the Lewis Arts complex at 122 Alexander Street, Princeton.
Accessibility
ASL and open captions will be provided during the opening talk on September 6. Audio Description, Braille signage and tactile experience are embedded in the exhibition experience. Christopher Núñez will be on-site for guided tours, questions, support with the tactile experience, extended audio description, and to answer questions from visitors at the following times: Monday, September 9, from 1-4 PM and Wednesday, September 11 from 1-4 PM.
The CoLab is an accessible venue. Visit our Venues and Studios section for accessibility information about the arts complex. Guests in need of other access accommodations are asked to contact the Lewis Center at LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week prior to the event date.
About the Artists
Christopher Núñez
Photo credit: Loghaven Artist Residency
Christopher “Unpezverde” Núñez is a Visually Impaired artist working in choreography, film, sound, installation and audio description. Núñez is a 2023 Mellon Foundation Grant Recipient, a 2022-24 Princeton University Arts Fellow, a 2022 Jerome Hill Fellow, a 2022 Dance/USA Fellow, and a 2018 Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art Fellow. His work been presented by Jacob’s Pillow, Abrons Arts Center, The Joyce Theater, Princeton University, The Brooklyn Museum — The Immigrant Artist Biennale, The Kitchen, Danspace Project, Movement Research at The Judson Church, The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, CUE Art Foundation, Performance Mix Festival, and Battery Dance Festival, among others. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Art In America, The Brooklyn Rail, The Dance Enthusiast, and The Archive: The Leslie-Lohman Museum bi-annual journal. He’s been an Artist In Residence at Loghaven Artist Residency, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The Kitchen, Danspace Project, Abrons Arts Center, Movement Research, and Center for Performance Research. In 2023, Núñez was selected by the magazine Art In America as one of 20 New Talent artists on a global scale. The same year, he was nominated for a “Bessie,” The New York Dance and Performance Awards, in the Best Performer category. As a performer, his most recent collaboration includes “Dressing Up for Civil Rights” by William Pope L, presented at MoMA, The Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, Núñez was invited by the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to share his story as disabled and formerly undocumented during Immigrant Heritage Week. He received his American Citizenship in 2023 but continues to be an advocate for the rights of undocumented disabled immigrants.
Branden Charles Wallace
Photo courtesy of the artist
Branden Charles Wallace holds a B.F.A., M.F.A. and a B.S. in Biochemistry. Branden has utilized their neurodivergence disabilities as a guide to different perspectives. Their practice is creating congruous work from the discord and discomfort of new information; a haptic harmony of cognitive dissonance. Branden is the recipient of the Disability. Dance. Artistry. Dance and Social Justice Fellowship in 2020 and 2023. He curated the 2017 exhibition Expanding Vision at Leslie-Lohman Museum. As designer in residence for the disabled multidisciplinary project led by Christopher Núñez, Wallace has presented his design work at Danspace Project, The Kitchen, The LGTBQ+ Center, Jacob’s Pillow, Princeton University, and Abrons Arts Center, among others.
Jerron Herman
Photo courtesy Jerron Herman
Jerron Herman is a dancer and writer who is compelled to create images of freedom. His process is supported by personal histories and social legacies of disability aesthetics that undermine notions of production in favor of welcoming. The nuanced pieces Jerron exhibits contend with an early childhood desire to create many worlds in which others inhabit.
