Queerthentic
Regional LGBTQIA+ Art Prize 2024
Queerthenic reveals authentic stories from Central Victorian LGBTQIA+ and gender diverse artists in this regional art prize. These stories delve into the mundane everyday, fabulous culture, or explore the influence of queer history and culture on their past, present, and future lives.
Queerthentic
Adjective [kweer-THEN-tik]
1. A state of being whereby you embrace your place within the LGBTQIA+ or gender-diverse community.
2. Living in an authentic and genuine manner, true to your own feelings, beliefs, and experiences with a sense of empowerment, self-acceptance, and living without the constraints of societal norms or expectations.
Following the momentum and success of the 2023 LGBTQIA+ art prize, That's So Gay, artists were invited to submit work showing what Queerthentic means to them and their community. Queerthentic was displayed at The Old Auction House in Kyneton, from the 25th of January 2024 to the 12th of February 2024 with a Celebration and the announcement of the Winners on Saturday the 3rd of February 2024.
2024 Queerthentic Winners
Thanks to our amazing sponsors our prize pool for 2024 was over $2000!
Alistair Fowler
Winner $1,000 Cash
+ Solo Exhibition at The Old Auction House
Alistair Fowler (he/him) is an exhibiting artist, based across Melbourne Naarm and the Daylesford Macedon Ranges region, on Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung Country, respectively.
Inspired by his love of the natural world. Alistair’s work often reflects the fragility and patchwork nature of the human condition. Evoking emotive feelings of familiarity with a sense of play. With a background in building and antique conservation, Alistair’s attention to detail is reflected in his trademark fantastical creatures and unique glaze finishes. Alistair works across a range of mediums, including ceramics, drawing, painting and woodwork, often incorporating upcycled materials and found items into his work.
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His winning piece - Lounge Room Parade - For those of us who love a parade and are happy to watch and support it from the couch, sharing it with chosen loved ones, ie our pets.
Hand-built sculpture using reclaimed clay, hand decorated with underglaze and earthenware glaze finishes. 31cm high, 31cm long.
Tahlia Campbell
Runner Up $500 Cash
Tahlia Campbell is a digital artist from rural Victoria. With a lifelong love of nature, she gains inspiration from animals and plants and is particularly drawn to the creatures that are shunned by society. Tahlia's love for the macabre and whimsical manifests shine through in her work, which she uses to express her identity as a queer and disabled person. Tahlia's work can be found on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram as @ChronicallyCrafting.
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Their winning piece was - Fungal Facade
Fungi are neither plant nor animal, neither male nor female. They defy categorisation in a way that speaks to me as a queer person. I've always had a fascination with mushrooms, moss, and fungi, and everything I learn about them makes me love them more. They refuse to be labelled and they don't care what anyone thinks - and I wonder what that must be like. Everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality, has expectations placed on them. People make subconscious assumptions about everyone they meet, no matter what the truth is. I would love to be free of those expectations. I drew this portrait not just because I love mushrooms - but because it feels empowering to draw myself as something inhuman and undefinable. Some people might find it strange or disturbing, but I think it's beautiful.
Michelle Jane Kowalczyk
People's Choice $500 Cash
Michelle J Kowalczyk is a regional artist working in Warragul, Victoria. Her artistic practice often uses a variety of mixed media, however the foundation for the artworks always starts with drawing and painting. Michelle's work often explores themes of nature through botanical and Animalia art as well as abstract themes of emotion using colour to symbolise the intricate complex layers of that emotion as a form of self expression.
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Her winning piece was - Learning to Fly
Learning to Fly is a peice about self discovery and donning the wings that help me soar confidently as who I am.
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We always can use an extra set of hands to make things run smoothly, send us an email and we will happily put you to work behind the scenes or at the Celebration!
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Are you looking for a way to support a local LGBTQIA+ event, get in touch to find out how to support Queerthentic