“Angels of Light” – Steven Menendez fine art photography exhibition New York April 2-8

Angels of Light photography exhibition by Steven Menendez runs at The Boiler Room (45 2nd Avenue, New York, 10003) from Thursday, April 2nd through Wednesday, April 8th, 2026.

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 2nd, 6–9 pm.

“I have always been drawn to the imagery and symbolism of angels – beings understood as messengers and intermediaries between heaven and Earth. Inspired by Renaissance art, I have spent many years photographing portraits of subjects as angels”, fine art photographer Steven Menendez shares with The Queer Review ahead of a new week-long exhibit entitled Angels of Light in New York opening this Thursday, April 2nd from 6-9pm.

“In this body of work”, Menendez continues, “I place angels within contemporary public settings, including historic queer spaces such as the Stonewall Inn, the AIDS Memorial, and the LGBTQ Center on 13th Street. These locations ground the divine in lived experience, connecting spiritual imagery with community memory and resilience.”

“Angels are often associated with compassion, love, and healing”, shares Menendez, “watching over us, offering comfort, and intervening in moments of need. If angels are real, we seem to need them now more than ever.”

“I have long felt that angels can take human form”, Menendez contemplates. “In this series, I include portraits of queer elders Randy Wicker and Agosto Machado, whom I consider Earth Angels for their lifelong dedication to uplifting and caring for the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our communities.”

Steven Menendez is an award winning fine art and portrait photographer based in New York City. He is a queer activist and created the rainbow flag display at the Stonewall National Monument and helped erect the first rainbow flag on federal lands. His fine art photography focuses on the figurative male nude, and his work has been featured at the Leslie Lohman Museum and in solo shows in New York, Provincetown, Miami and San Francisco. Visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.