Lenore Chinn

Lenore Chinn (born June 20, 1949) is an American visual artist, known for her American realist paintings and her queer activism. Chinn was a founding member of Lesbians in the Visual Arts and Queer Cultural Center (QCC), and served on the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. She lives in San Francisco, California.

Early life and education Lenore Chinn was born on June 20, 1949, in San Francisco, California. She is a second generation Chinese-American. Her mother was raised in Oakland's Chinatown, while her father was raised in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her father was a mathematician and teacher, and her mother was a translator for the United States federal government. When Chinn was two years old, her family moved to the Richmond District of San Francisco. These teachings would influence Chinn's artwork.

Chinn attended George Washington High School.

Career Chinn moved to the Castro District in the 1980s and became involved in activist groups, including the Harvey Milk Club. Chinn co-founded the Lesbians in the Visual Arts and Queer Cultural Center (QCC). Her work often aims to fight cultural stereotypes by showcasing minorities and homosexuality.

Chinn speaks about her work and about lesbianism. She has spoken at the College Art Association, Women's Caucus for Art, and other organizations. Chinn is also a curator, working at galleries in San Francisco. She has exhibited her paintings at Pacific Union College and the National Arts Club. Lenore Chinn: Cultural Confluences (2012), Luggage Store Gallery, San Francisco, California

Group exhibitions

Lenore Chinn and John Thomas Staple: Paintings and Sculpture (1980), Lucien Labaudt Art Gallery, 1407 Gough Street, San Francisco, California Out of the Bubble: Artists on Queer Travel (2008), Femina Potens, San Francisco, California; including artists Lenore Chinn, Dusty Lombardo, and Lydia Daniller

LGBT Journey (2014), group exhibition, Commonwealth Club of California and the Queer Cultural Center, San Francisco, California; curated by Pamela Peniston and including artists Lenore Chinn, Rudy Lemcke, Bren Ahearn, Indira Allegra, and Preston Gannaway