BEN CUEVAS | MEDICINAL ART

Ben Cuevas is not merely a fiber artist but a chronicler of the human spirit, one who tenderly entwines the threads of identity, resilience, and activism into a fabric rich with meaning. Their work emerges not only from the loom of artistry but from the lived complexities of being queer, non-binary, HIV-positive, and Latinx. Each piece bridges the personal and the political, employing interdisciplinary methods to traverse the landscapes of otherness and community. Textiles, their chosen medium, take on the weight of history and the intimacy of care, transforming stigmatized narratives into tangible expressions of survival and belonging.

One cannot contemplate Cuevas’ oeuvre without encountering ‘Knit PrEP’ (2014), which deftly unites activism and artistry. Created for the Visual AIDS ‘Play Smart Trading Card Series’ under the curation of John Chaich, this knit sculpture assumes the familiar form of the blue pill—PrEP, the revolutionary pre-exposure prophylaxis for preventing HIV. Through the tactile, domestic craft of knitting, Cuevas reimagines the clinical sterility of medical discourse, imbuing it with warmth and accessibility. The act of rendering prevention through this intimate craft evokes a DIY ethic, a quiet but firm assertion that safety and care can—and must—be within reach for all.

‘Knit PrEP’ found its audience in places where art is seldom displayed—gay bars, LGBTQ+ centers, and communal gathering spots—through trading cards distributed alongside condoms and educational materials. These humble venues became impromptu galleries, inviting dialogue and dismantling the barriers of fear and stigma that so often enshroud HIV prevention. Cuevas’ work transcended its form, becoming a call to action that resonated beyond the confines of advocacy. It urged individuals to not only embrace prevention but to destigmatize HIV and honor the tenacity of a community that has weathered erasure with extraordinary grace.

For Cuevas, this battle against stigma is not abstract but deeply personal. Living with HIV has laid bare the ignorance and prejudice that undergird societal fear while also revealing a resilient, vibrant community whose creativity fuels their art. “My work is autobiographical,” Cuevas reflects, “so I’ve created objects and installations related to HIV/AIDS because it’s part of my lived experience and identity.” Their art, born of this intersection of pain and potential, captures the texture of survival, where each thread bears the weight of struggle and the sheen of perseverance.

In many of Cuevas’ pieces, the mundane rituals of treatment—pills taken daily—become symbols of vulnerability and strength. These objects, seemingly simple, are imbued with profound meaning, markers of mortality and endurance alike. “Having HIV has made me stop and think: I am not invincible. I depend on pills daily to survive. These pills hold great significance and meaning to me, and that is reflected in my work,” Cuevas shares. Such reflections shape a practice rooted in mortality yet alive with purpose, urging us to see the extraordinary within the ordinary.

The lifeblood of Cuevas’ work is community, particularly their partnership with Visual AIDS, which has provided not only a platform but a home. This community, teeming with creativity and shared purpose, has nurtured their growth as an artist and advocate. For Cuevas, art is as much about giving as it is about creating—a means to empower others, dispel ignorance, and reclaim narratives overshadowed by fear. “Through sharing information, we battle stigma, which stems from ignorance and fear,” they assert. “Having more information about HIV/AIDS puts power back in people’s hands, whether to live with this virus and thrive or to prevent its transmission altogether.”

Memory, too, finds its place in Cuevas’ artistry. Their work bears witness to those who came before—the countless lives shaped and scarred by the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through their art, Cuevas preserves these stories, ensuring they do not fade into obscurity but remain vivid, a call to arms against complacency. Their pieces serve as both elegy and exhortation, urging us to continue the fight for compassion and equity.

As World AIDS Day 2025 draws near, Cuevas’ art stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity. It reminds us that art, at its best, is not merely an object to be admired but a force for change, a medium for education, and a bridge that binds us to one another. Through their practice, Cuevas calls us to confront our prejudices, embrace our shared humanity, and envision a world where care and community are not exceptions but standards. Their art is not merely self-expression; it is an invitation—to join in the ongoing narrative of resilience, survival, and hope.