A Dunedin art exhibition celebrates sexuality's varied spectrum, writes Shane Gilchrist.
From drawings of Freddie Mercury and Greta Garbo to a child's picture that focus attention on gender stereotypes, Dunedin Pride's 2015 exhibition, ''The Art InQueery'', includes work from both established artists and enthusiastic novices.
Curator Tara James says the exhibition, which opens at the Community Gallery on Monday, aims to acknowledge and celebrate queer artists and those who support them.
''At the moment I have 21 artists confirmed. I'd say half will show one work, while the remainder will show up to three works.
''Basically, I have accepted all proposals. That fits into the idea of Dunedin Pride - we wanted the exhibition to be completely inclusive,'' James says.
''Basically, the criteria was people had to identify as queer or, if not, the work had to encourage queer discourse, so that left it pretty open. I've got straight friends who are exhibiting, but their work has a queer theme.
''The Community Gallery has become the hub of Dunedin pride this year (see breakout). We've got talks happening there and Janus is performing in the gallery over a few nights, so I need to find out how the space will work.
"I have the two biggest walls to use, so I'll look at what we can actually accommodate.
''Neil Emmerson, who is head of print at the Otago Polytechnic School of Art, is going to help me with the hang on Sunday. I work three-dimensionally, whereas he works two-dimensionally and has hung many exhibitions. His input will be invaluable, because the work is so varied.''
Though loath to select any highlights, James notes Southland Museum and Art Gallery curator Ari Edgecombe's work is ''quite beautiful, and quite large''.
Others to enter include Dunedin artist Jessie Lee Robertson, who is exhibiting some pencil drawings of Freddy Mercury and Greta Garbo.
There is a comic component, Auckland-based Sam Orchard hosting a workshop as well as exhibiting his work.
''A wee girl who is 7 is also exhibiting. After she watched a documentary about a transgender child, the girl drew pictures of a stereotypical girl and boy but above each she wrote the other gender,'' James says.
''A young woman has painted a picture of a normal-looking girl - if there is such a thing - and she's called it Invisible, which highlights the fact there are many lesbians in the community who don't fit a stereotype. She's saying people don't have to be identifiable in terms of their sexuality.''
James, who completed a bachelor of visual arts (first-class honours) at the Otago Polytechnic Dunedin School of Art last year, will have three works on display, including a series called New World Order.
''It comprises three digitally manipulated prints. You know those prayer cards you can buy from the Catholic shop? Well, the faces are changed and things have been added to the images to skew them.
''One of them is Ellen [DeGeneres] and Portia [de Rossiand]; another has one of the Topp twins as Mary; the other one is of Lindsay Lohan and her ex-girlfriend, Sam Ronson.
''All of the works have a frame made of plaid, which plays with the stereotype of the lesbian.''
The exhibition
• Dunedin Pride's 2015 exhibition ''The Art InQueery'' opens at 6pm at the Community Gallery, Dunedin, on Monday, October 5, and runs until Friday, October 9.
OTHER DUNEDIN PRIDE EVENTS
• Pride opening party.
Dance party at Sammy's tonight, from 9pm (theme is Cowboys and Aliens).
Pride picnic and walkWoodhaugh Gardens, tomorrow; walk from 11am, picnic begins at 12.30pm; if wet, Sunday, October 11. (Note: no dogs allowed at picnic and only allowed on leash on specified walking tracks in Woodhaugh Gardens).
• Pride zine-making workshop.
Otago alumnus and the creator of Rooster Tails Comics, Sam Orchard, warmly invites people to make a collaborative zine. Community Gallery, Tuesday, October 6, 11am-1pm (bring pens, pencils, felts, magazines).
• Sex, gender and sexuality: conversations about continuums.
Joey Macdonald facilitates a conversation (over a cup of tea) about language and the frameworks we use. Community Gallery, Tuesday, October 6, 6pm.
• Coming out: film and chat. An evening for people who are in the process of ''coming out'', have recently, or are there for others who are going through the process. OUSA Recreation Centre, Evison Lounge, Wednesday, October 7, 6.30pm-8.30pm.
• Performance: JanusJanus brings together a collection of short pieces devised by Dunedin's best queer talent. Community Gallery, October 8-10, 7.30pm.
• For more information (including costs), visit: www.dunedinpride.com
