“In Plain Sight” by Esdras T. Thelusma on view at Tunnel Projects
- May 23
- 1 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
“In Plain Sight” at Tunnel Projects in Little Havana, is a photography exhibition by Miami artist and creative director, Esdras T. Thelusma (b.1989, Freeport, Bahamas), curated by painter Reginald O'Neal, currently on view until Jan 5th. Thelusma is known for his edgy portraits of hip-hop artists, but this show includes pictures of neighbors and friends as well. As the title hints, this exhibit reveals contrasts between humble surroundings and symbols of aspiration that serve as a window into the protagonists futures and ambitions, subtle yet impactful, hidden in plain sight.
A self-taught artist who grew up in Little Haiti, Thelusma was drawn to art as a child, and with the encouragement of his teachers, he eventually found his way to photography. In a conversation earlier this week, Esdras described the curatorial process between himself and fellow artist and friend O’Neal as natural, and it is that sense of ease and comfort with his subjects that imbues this small but poignant exhibition.
Located in a small room within the physically underground Tunnel Projects, the exhibit draws viewers into the lives of those photographed. The intimate, enclosed space fosters a deep connection between the subjects’ worlds and the perspectives of those observing them, creating a shared experience that blurs the boundaries between observer and observed.
![Rodriguez’s “Currents of Resistance,” like her interdisciplinary practice as a whole, reveals the hidden layers of history, where colonial resistance still echoes in the land itself. Her work reminds us of the need to engage with history as an agent of change. “We are living in a very dangerous time,” Rodriguez said. “Art must create space—for critical thinking, conversations, for beauty, for joy, and for action. It is essential to look back at factual histories, paying close attention to those eras where our communities have been targeted to understand how we protect each other [in order to] persist and thrive.”](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6c8e7f_c5545cbdcf3b49169fd1920e56d8d123~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_804,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/6c8e7f_c5545cbdcf3b49169fd1920e56d8d123~mv2.jpg)
