Proudly and Critically Queer
AUCKLAND PARK - The UJ FADA Gallery was covered in queer colour during the opening of the Critically Queer exhibition on 10 August.
Proudly and Critically Queer
Lesego Maja
lesegomaja@caxton.co.za
AUCKLAND PARK – The UJ FADA Gallery was covered in queer colour during the opening of the Critically Queer exhibition on 10 August.
The exhibition is a statement of embracing what people consider as “other” in a changing world full of conventional minds. It created a space where unfitting art can be displayed.
Exhibition curator, Jabulani Chen Pereira said this exhibition was important because it accommodates art that does not fit in any other space.
“To me it was really about what it means to have an exhibition opening or to place, position or display work that ordinarily does not fit in gallery space. After all, there are people who make work to fit into spaces. They fit on white walls, they fit under the spot light and they get labelled,” said Pereira.
“But then what happens when queer bodies themselves are in a space that is not designed and intended for such displays?”
Pereira describes the term queer as very similar to “other derogatory terms like moffie, faggot, dyke, stabane, hermaphrodite, used to shame Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Intersex persons”.
The exhibition, however, was about transforming the cons of the term to the pros, and celebrating being different and countering the norm through a display of art.
A performance piece by Selogadi Mampane caught the attention of the audience and displayed the hardships of homosexuality. The performance, titled Chromatherapy, explores how the black body is policed, violated and objectified. Mampane is chained and caged, clothed in a black sail garment that is strategically cut to expose her vaginal area and rear end.
Another popular display was Dean Hutton's #Transitions: In search of an Authentic Queer. This artwork is a collection of photographs of people captured with an iPhone as the artist journeys in search of a queer identity.
Beauty Queen, Candice Nkosi, said the exhibition is important because it acknowledges the artistic creativity that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community has to offer by being themselves.
“There are so many ways of sending messages, apart from the black and white written format, but photographically, we have so much to say,” said Nkosi.
“We need more events like this one, which will involve not only queers, but also straight people. This will create more awareness,” Nkosi added.
Pereira further mentioned that the partnership with UJ, FADA Gallery and UJ Arts and culture is about shifting norms and making a statement of belonging.
“We belong in every single space, we belong in a university space, and we belong in a gallery space. I don't think we belong in a prison space.”
The Critically Queer exhibition, will take place until 17 September and starts at 10am each day. A special exhibition is scheduled to start at 3pm on 14 Spetember.
