Raúl de Nieves has transformed the industrial architecture of Pioneer Works in Red Hook into a luminous sanctuary through his solo exhibition, "In Light of Innocence." The installation features 50 handcrafted faux stained-glass panels made from acetate and aluminum tape, replacing traditional religious iconography with symbols from tarot, Mexican folklore, and personal text. The centerpiece is a large light box featuring a skeleton that symbolizes transformation and renewal rather than death.
This exhibition marks De Nieves's first institutional solo show in New York, a significant milestone for an artist who has previously gained acclaim through the Whitney Biennial and major public commissions. By repurposing the aesthetics of a cathedral using humble materials, De Nieves seeks to reclaim spiritual spaces for the LGBTQ community, challenging the historical exclusion practiced by traditional religious institutions while celebrating his own journey within the New York creative scene.