By Tammy Orr and Harrison Orr
Born to a Cajun mother and a Croatian father in rainy Seattle, Lex Gjurasic grew up during the height of the Riot grrrl movement that gave birth to underground feminist punk culture. In true Riot grrrl fashion, Lex made feminist zines, went to underground punk shows, and joined a girl gang, all while attending Catholic High School in the now trendy Capitol Hill neighborhood. Early on in her career, Lex turned to activist art, leading neighborhood garden projects and taking a stand against police brutality. The mayor of Seattle declared June 6th as Lex Gjurasic Day in honor of the work she did for her community.
Despite her early success in the Seattle arts scene, Lex sought a sense of independence that she couldn’t find in her hometown. She made a lifechanging decision to leave home and get married. As she puts it, “I had nothing to lose. If it didn’t work out, Seattle would still be there to fall back on.” But it did work out, and as she made her way East and then back West again, she left a trail of art, exhibiting in Pensacola, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, and everywhere in between. Lex eventually made her way to Tucson in 2013 with her husband, Steve, and their daughter, Nola. She quickly carved out a space for herself in Tucson’s creative community. She has shown her vibrant work at some of locals’ favorite galleries, such as Tohono Chul and Tiny Town.
Lex stresses the importance of play at every stage of life. She says, “every day you have to sink your teeth into something.” Whether it’s paintings of flower mounds or milkshakes for lunch with her 14-year old daughter, Lex is always creating something to share with others. Despite the limitations of the pandemic, Lex has continued to persist in her goal of making every moment count. She believes in happiness as a form of resistance. No matter what life throws at her, she always tries to make it fun, living by the words of Martha Stewart: “I do what I please and I do it with ease.”
Lex loves being a part of Tucson’s diverse LGBTQI+ community. In fact, she will tell you that she “puts the B in LGBTQ.” Outreach is a vital part of her work as an artist, so she enjoys working with LGBTQI+ youth and seniors in art museums and community settings. She has a unique ability to bring out the best in those around her. For a dose of radical happiness, check out Lex’s art online at www.lexgjurasic.com or on Instagram: @lexgjurasic. You can also see her work in the exhibition Mapping Q: Still Here/ Still Queer at The University of Arizona Museum of Art from August to December 2022. See page 2 for information about our upcoming tour. Lex’s solo exhibition, Flower Mounds, will be on display at the Tucson Botanical Gardens from January to May 2023.