Open to the public now through July 18th, international creative design studio Yabu Pushelberg (founded by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg) and UNAIDS’ Don’t Stop. Stand Up! exhibition pairs archival and contemporary works that examine queer history across generations, from the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s and 70s in New York to the AIDS epidemic and the conversations shaping queer communities today.
Don’t Stop. Stand Up! explores the history of LGBTQIA+ identity, activism, and resilience in response to HIV/AIDS. The exhibition and programming series aims to connect with diverse audiences across New York City’s culture, design, fashion, media, and advocacy sectors, engaging local communities to participate in panel discussions and take personal action to help end the AIDS epidemic.
Yabu Pushelberg’s Don’t Stop. Stand Up! profiles the courageous activists and communities who shaped the city’s sexual liberation movement, fought back against the early devastation of the AIDS epidemic, and drove the evolution of queer visibility. Timed to open during Pride month ahead of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, the exhibition amplifies a global call to action to remind the world that AIDS is not over, and that ending AIDS by 2030 is only achievable if we recommit to accelerate progress, free of stigma and discrimination.
The works—including 41 never-before-exhibited photographs from the personal archive of Tony Mansfield, featuring Andy Warhol, Candy Darling, and members of the Factory; a community display of sections from the AIDS Memorial Quilt; a selection of photographs from Your Shame Bores Me by Canadian photographer Christopher Sherman; and cultural artifacts researched and curated by New School alumnus Stan Walden—trace the social, political, and human history of the epidemic, highlighting the UN’s goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through public engagement and social mobilization. Daily admission is free – reservations can be made via Eventbrite.
“For more than four decades, our studio has designed spaces and objects that foster a more beautiful, harmonious world”, comments Glenn Pushelberg. “With Don’t Stop. Stand Up!, we’re challenging our creative, and professional communities to mobilize their collective influence to advance the end of AIDS”, added George Yabu.
“Ending AIDS by 2030 demands a profound remobilization of governments and communities—a resurgence that must ignite during Don’t Stop. Stand Up!” urges Vinay Saldanha, Director of the UNAIDS New York Office.
As part of their Salon Series, Yabu Pushelberg hosted a live presentation of Christopher Sherman’s Horny Newsletter Live on July 9th celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ voices. The evening featured 15 live readings from a diverse lineup of guest contributors exploring the intersections of sex, sexuality, and identity through short stories, photography, and video art. Highlights included photographer Hunter Abrams presenting a piece titled How to Sleep with a Porn Star, writer Silvio Vallati reciting poems including The Blue Myth, artist Zeid Al-Nasr (Zeidmoon) reflecting on his experience as a queer person from Damascus and how it juxtaposes his career in the West, and writer Shahamat Uddin sharing an excerpt from his upcoming short story set on Fire Island.
Recent additional programming by Yabu Pushelberg included the exhibition’s opening reception on June 18th; a reception co-hosted with Man of Parts on June 23rd to mark the successful conclusion of the 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS at the UN General Assembly; and HIV/AIDS & The Community, a panel discussion hosted on July 14th connecting the early years of the AIDS epidemic and activism to today’s dialogue around U=U, PrEP, and queer leadership.
Yabu Pushelberg will host a reception with West Out East, Tribù, and Rainbow Railroad to mark the closing of the exhibition on July 22nd. The event is open to the public, and guests can register by emailing yabupushelbergrsvp@karlaotto.com.
Founded by George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg in 1980, with studios in New York and Toronto, Yabu Pushelberg designs places and products: immersive environments, engaging destinations, and thoughtfully crafted objects. Initially focusing on interior design, the studio has since evolved into a multidisciplinary practice addressing multiple layers of the human experience. Yabu Pushelberg now specializes in a range of disciplines—from architecture to interiors, from landscape to lighting, from furniture to objects and graphics—extending its focus well beyond aesthetics to consider how people feel within these spaces. Discover more at yabupushelberg.com.
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