Topical Cream Celebrates Lumi Tan & Launch of it Inaugural Print Issue

On November 19, Topical Cream and Artists Space in Soho hosted a panel to celebrate the culmination of Lumi Tan’s tenure as 2025 Editor-in-Residence and the historic launch of Topical Cream Issue No. 1. The event marked the organization’s transition from a twelve-year digital nomad to a print publisher. The panel, titled “Criticism & Performance in Polycrisis,” brought together Alessandra Gómez, Allie Tepper, Amando Houser, Diana SeoHyung, Indira Allegra, Karen Finley, Mariana Fernández, Quori Theodor, Seta Morton, and Wendy Vogel with introductions by Lyndsy Welgos and Elizabeth Wiet.

Lumi Tan moderates a panel of writers who contributed to *Topical Cream* Issue No. 1.

The full-color issue marks a milestone for Topical Cream, which has spent over a decade providing equitable media representation for women and non-binary artists. Curated by Tan, this inaugural print edition features two covers. One features the legendary performance artist Karen Finley in Women’s History Museum, and a second features Tan herself holding a Topical Cream zine with 2024 Editor-in-Residence Ebony L. Haynes.

Delia Delia interrupts the panel with a very special performance.

Executive Director Lyndsy Welgos reflected on Topical Cream’s evolution, noting that while the platform’s mission remains rooted in intersectional advocacy, the move to print offers a permanent and tactile record of their work. Deputy Editor Elizabeth Wiet took a moment to thank the panel and noted that it was an honor to work with Lumi Tan.

“Criticism & Performance in Polycrisis” was punctuated by an impromptu intervention by panelist (Amando Houser), Delia Delia which included an operatic call to summon witches and a intense search for the C . Indira Allegra performed a selection from her book “Tension Studies.” This work explores choreography, textiles, religion, desire . The artists words transformed the basement in Tribeca into a sacred space for all who were lucky enough to hold witness.

Topical Cream cover talent Karen Finley read a poem from her book “Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco” to close out the performance portion of the evening with a bang and a roar of applause!

Performance artist Karen Finley reads from “Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera Kitty Kaleidoscope Disco,” to close out the panel.

The evening concluded with a reception. Attendees included Camille Henrot, Raque Ford, Artists Space Director Jay Sanders, Art Omi Director Sara O’Keeffe, artist Raul De Nieves, and Dosha from House of LaDosha. The milestone was a prelude to the magazine’s global launch as Issue No. 1 headed next to Art Basel Miami Beach, Iconic Magazine Soho, and Art Basel Hong Kong, expanding Topical Cream’s impact into the international sphere.