Meet Eugene Huffman

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Eugene Huffman again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Eugene, always such a pleasure connecting with you and thank you for sharing your stories, insights and inspiring messages with our community. We’re looking forward to getting the download and what you have been up to since our last interview, but first can you briefly introduce yourself to folks who might have missed the prior conversation.
Hello. I am Eugene Huffman, a Queer, HIV-Positive (Undetectable) Visual Artist – Abstract Expressionist – Curator, Advocate and Graphic Designer. I am a co-founder of the Virtual Art Gallery Kunsthaus RoZig with Partner/Photographer Connie Kurtew.
My primary work is Abstract Expressionist, being described as “expressionism with vibrant color and non-repeating patterns that reference life through a lens of survival – an outlet for his openness as a survivor of domestic violence and abuse, and his status as an HIV-Positive man.” My dense, saturated and beautiful work frequently incorporates the use of metallics, which reference my love for Klimt, and the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, and often incorporates mythological themes interwoven with reality.
I have also incorporated my graphic design skills and artistic eye to create the Oracle of the Loas – a tarot inspired Oracle deck based on Vodou, with a very strong lean (and personal ties) to the practice as it is in New Orleans.
In addition to my art, I am also a Curator with a catalog of diverse artists, creating shows with powerful and innovative themes. I am also is an Advocate, speaking out on the topic of HIV/AIDS, educating with the aim to end stigma and promote prevention and awareness (the most important of them all – Undetectable = Untransmittable. If you are on Antiretroviral Therapy and take it as prescribed, you cannot transmit the virus to anyone).

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
A lot of changes and challenges have occurred along my journey so far. At this point, I would say I am in a “resurrection” of sorts. I had the closure of a gallery I was a featured artist for happen, then my primary job became overwhelming to the point I had time for little else (I work as a Paralegal mainly in employment law and head up a large team – this pays the bills and allows me to afford to to my art).
After a long pause, I am in the midst of creating new works, reevaluating where I’d like to go from here.
I recently invested in another print run of my Oracle of the Loas deck, and this time I was finally able to package the instruction booklet with the cards all inclusive in one box.
In good news, I met with my Art/Gallery Partner Connie Kurtew, and we have finally resurrected Kunsthaus RoZig. We missed having the project, but a pause was necessary due to financial constraints and some personal family issues that needed attending to. However, in this space and time we find ourselves, CONNECTION is of the utmost importance, especially for Visual Artists, and our platform provides that. In our new platform, we will be doing quarterly virtual exhibitions, with the potential for added exhibitions during the year, and have an ability for Visual Artists to provide support if they should choose to. However, applying and participating in the exhibition will always be free.
Our first Open Call is for the Exhibition titled “Hoffnung” – German for “hope” – a fitting theme for these times. We will curate the exhibition, and host a Zoom Opening Reception where we tour the gallery, artists get to speak about their pieces, and answer questions from the attending audience. This part has always been special to us. We get to meet Visual Artists from around the world, and have time where we can connect, share our stories, and share our art.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Suspiria (Luca Guadagnino – 2o18)

Favorite Book: Merrick by Anne Rice

Favorite TV Show: Agatha All Along

Favorite Band or Artist: Siouxsie (Solo, with Siouxsie and the Banshees, and side project The Creatures)

Sweet or Savory: Depends on mood…

Mountains or Beach: Beach – it is so calming by the sea.

Favorite Sport (to watch): I did enjoy the World Cup when Germany was playing…

Favorite Sport (to play): None

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Yes and I did not like the experience at all. I was terrible at any I tried.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: Artist was always my go to – I had been drawing since I was a child.

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Not familiar with either person.

Favorite Cartoon growing up: She-Ra : Princess of Power

Favorite Childhood movie: The Secret of Nimh

Favorite Breakfast Food: I like a good breakfast sandwich.

Life is often about tough choices – can you talk to us about your thought process, strategy or philosophy when it comes to making difficult choices or tradeoffs.
One of my philosophies is that nothing is ever a mistake – as long as you learn from it. That ties into the fact that failure is a necessary component to success. In life you will make mistakes and you will fail. Often those repeat themselves until you ultimately learn the lesson they are trying to teach, and that leads you to success.
Another one I have always held strongly to: be true to yourself, and your values, and do not compromise them for anyone. If you do, it will only be the detriment to your own self and happiness.
One example of this – I had an art coach at one time, and he was having a difficult time trying to tell me something, but I asked him to be as frank as possible – I could take it. I was basically told that it might not be a good idea to have my HIV status out there and in plain view – that it could “turn off” a lot of art establishments and galleries. That was the last day I worked with him. But my entire view there is – while that may be true, that is an important element to who I am and what I do. I don’t want to work with a gallery if that is an element that bars me from showing my work. Stigma exists in the art world too – and I am here to fight it, not help perpetuate it. (I’ve even had an exhibition I curated get censored on its last day because a religious patron objected to pieces presented by HIV-Positive Visual Artists). Does that keep me from success and opportunities…? Maybe. But being true to myself matters so much more. If I don’t have that, then my work loses part of its meaning. Then (at least to me) it loses its point and intrinsic value. Then, there’s no point to doing it.
My last item is – I know a lot of artists can experience doubt. This is a more abstract thing because I can’t easily outline it, but learn to trust yourself and your process in creating, embrace the flow, and go with it. Once I decided to surrender and give trust to myself and the work I was making, it flowed beautifully – and seeing my work progress, I could instantly tell where the line was between doubt and trust. Give in, let go, and flow. This is the connection that allows creation to happen without obstacles, and you develop your own conversation, if you will, with the work(s) you are making.

Website: https://www.eugenehuffmanart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eugenehuffmanart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eugenehuffmanart

Other: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/eugenehuffmanart.bsky.social; Kunsthaus RoZig Open Call: https://www.eugenehuffmanart.com/blog/opencall-hoffnung; Oracle of the Loas: https://eugenehuffmanart.bigcartel.com/product/oracle-of-the-loas