Joey Terrill - prints and biography

Joey Terrill, a second-generation Angeleno born in 1955, has been painting and creating art for more than three decades. His work draws on a wide range of influences, from the bold language of Pop Art to the devotional intimacy of Mexican retablos, while also channeling the political energy and cultural vibrancy of Los Angeles’ Chicano and queer art communities.

A formative figure in the Chicano art movement, Terrill has long explored issues of identity, sexuality, and activism in his practice. His paintings and works on paper reflect both personal narratives and broader cultural histories, often intertwining pop-cultural imagery with deeply resonant social commentary.

Terrill was also a pioneering voice in AIDS cultural activism, using art as a tool for visibility, empowerment, and resistance at a time when Latino and queer communities were disproportionately impacted. He served as a board member of VIVA!, the first gay and lesbian Latino art organization in Los Angeles, further cementing his role as both an artist and advocate within multiple intersecting communities.

Through his art, Joey Terrill continues to shape dialogues around culture, politics, and identity, offering a powerful vision grounded in Los Angeles but resonating far beyond.