We have been fans of Rubén Natal-San Miguel’s work and have been following his artistic production for years. His amazing “Ongina” (DragCon, 2019, NYC) is now on view in the permanent collection room at The Newark Museum of Art. The artist thanks curator Elena Muñoz for being instrumental with the acquisition and display.

Ongina’s portrait and other photographs from the Drag Con series are housed at The Mint Museum (Charlotte, North Carolina), the Leslie-Lohman Museum (New York, New York), the Fitchburg Art Museum (Fitchburg, Massachusetts), the Provincetown Art Museum (Provincetown, Massachusetts), and the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University (Durham, North Carolina). 

Read more about San Miguel’s series in Susan Stamberg’s “With Power, Poise and Confidence, These ‘Women R Beautiful’” (Art Where You’re at Series, NPR).

Ruben Natal-San Miguel’s biography (from the artist’s page): Ruben Natal-San Miguel is a self-taught artist, architect, fine art photographer, curator, creative director, and critic who was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in New York City. His stature in the photo world has earned him awards, features in major media, and countless museum and gallery exhibitions. 

Before becoming an artist, Natal-San Miguel worked in finance and was in the World Trade Center when it was attacked by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Since surviving that terrible day, he has dedicated his life to making art that celebrates the lives of the marginalized and oppressed, especially LGBTQ+ and communities of color. 

For more on the artist, see NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/01/28/958620566/with-power-poise-and-confidence-these-women-r-beautifuland https://garymarottafineart.com/artists/ruben-natal-san-miguel–photography/

[shown above: Rubén Natal-San Miguel’s “Ongina,” DragCon, 2019.]