Artistic repose and relaxation thrive at a Tuscan dwelling, offering a haven for black artists identifying as queer.
MQBMBQ Residency Holds Week-Long Retreat for Black Queer Artists in Tuscany
The MQBMBQ residency, founded by Jordan Anderson, recently held a week-long retreat for Black queer artists in Tuscany. The retreat took place at the Turchese villa, designed by Italian architect Oreste Martelli Castaldi, and marked the fifth anniversary of the residency.
For this special occasion, Anderson decided to depart from the traditional four-week program and instead invited four artists—Justen Leroy, Precious Okoyomon, YAV, and Elliot Jerome Brown Jr.—to spend a week at the villa. The retreat was designed to be a unique experience, distinct from the regular program, and focused on fostering a gentle, restorative environment that honors rest, creative exchange, and radical imagination.
The artists were encouraged to balance rest and creative work during the day, with each evening dedicated to sharing a text or piece of inspiration over dinner. The program pairs Black queer artists with established mentors and emphasizes the unique contributions and distinct practices of each artist within a supportive, immersive environment.
Elliot Jerome Brown Jr.'s photography practice was a natural extension of the MQBMBQ residency, being quiet, observant, and tender. His work navigates intimacy, fiction, and form, providing a beautiful way to hold and document the nuance of being in the shared space. Precious Okoyomon's practice, with its relationship with the natural world, was a perfect fit for the villa. Justen Leroy's exploration of Black sound and sonic environments resonated powerfully in Tuscany.
Anderson intentionally placed the experience outside institutional confines, choosing a space that residents could fully inhabit, reshape, and claim as their own. This approach allowed the artists to fully immerse themselves in the retreat's objectives of rest, creative exchange, and radical imagination.
Yaav's movement-focused art appealed to Anderson, adding an embodied, responsive layer to the Turchese villa. Watching Yaav's physical language unfold within the structure made the house feel alive. Elliott's work, with its quiet, observant, and tender nature, perfectly complemented the retreat's focus on rest and reflection.
The MQBMBQ residency has been supported by prominent brands such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Bulgari, and Loro Piana, highlighting its recognition in the cultural community. The retreat provided a nurturing space for Black queer artists to rest, reflect, and engage creatively without pressure, emphasizing community, artistic exchange, and radical imagination within a culturally rich and natural setting.
[1] Source: MQBMBQ Residency website and press releases [5] Source: Artforum, "The MQBMBQ Residency's Week-Long Retreat for Black Queer Artists in Tuscany"
- The MQBMBQ residency's unique week-long retreat in Tuscany promoted a lifestyle that combined rest, creative exchange, and radical imagination, providing an outdoor-living experience for Black queer artists within the picturesque Turchese villa.
- In celebration of its fifth anniversary, the MQBMBQ residency, with the support of fashion brands like Jean Paul Gaultier and Loro Piana, offered a nurturing home-and-garden environment for four artists, where they could immerse themselves in their work while maintaining a focus on sustainable living.
- During the week-long retreat, each evening witnessed Black queer artists sharing texts or pieces of inspiration over dinner, fostering a culture of fashion-and-beauty and books, intertwined with evening entertainment and discussions.
