That's So Gay
Regional LGBTQIA+ Art Prize
That's So Gay; from insult to strength!
An open LGBTQIA+ art prize in Kyneton celebrating the richness of the queer community’s contribution to society.
Prize Pool over $700+
That’s So Gay! flips the script to proudly claim everything that's "gay". Through art we are owning the LGBTIQA+ history, culture, achievements and the richness that is the queer lived experience, by highlighting the extraordinary and enduring contributions LGBTIQA+ people have made and continue to make in our society.
That's So Gay was on exhibition at The Old Auction House in Kyneton, from January 26th - February 13th 2023. On February 12th we celebrated Victoria's Pride in line with the Victoria's Pride celebrations statewide and announced the winners of of the Art Prize.
Organised by Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts Inc as part of Victoria's Pride, a partnership between the Victorian Government and Midsumma. We were fortunate enough to also receive support from Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health's Country LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Program, Macedon Ranges Shire Council & The Old Auction House.
A Stich in Queer Time
Christos Linou
- WINNER -
The work plays on the LGBTQI+ acronym of inclusion, arranged as an alphabet that considers all letters can be included in the queer community. It celebrates the theme of 'That's So Gay' through the colours of the rainbow, and acts a humorous metaphor for a Doctors eye chart; in that, if you can read this, you are one of us! Hand sewn artwork using reclaimed material.
Fight Like a Girl
Yianni Giovanoglou
- RUNNER UP -
A humorous take on the stereotypical machismo and bravado that is expected in young men. The parasol and fan both are whimsical alternative ways to protect ones self from the "shady comments" in place of violence.
Flag and Natives 1
Sam Lucas
- PEOPLE'S CHOICE -
This work is part of a larger collection of paintings that explore still life imagery of flowers and glassware with the rainbow flag.
It's Done
Luca (Susan) Jane Royle
- HIGHLY COMMENDED -
A topless self portrait showing chest surgery scars. Although the first amputation was for medical reasons the second was a choice to be flat chested a big decision a lot of the community wrestle with.
Bathtime
Michael Rigg
- HIGHLY COMMENDED -
Our Gayness is so ordinary
Omar - Dancing with himself
Vincent Appleby
Omar - Angel in contemplation
Vincent Appleby
Pride Within Comfort
Alex Dales
- HIGHLY COMMENDED -
Considering a lot of prejudice is directed at physical proximity. And that’s what the insult (that’s so gay) was typically thrown at when I heard it. I wanted to have all the couples being somewhat intimate. The poses were picked out with the characters' nearness in mind. Though I kept them not overly intertwined so each character got relatively, equal visual attention. The tender affection also brings on the image of comfort and pride which is what solidified the piece’s name. Where with the outfits, variety was in mind. I wanted to show that while the colour scheme would remain consistent, the clothes would change just like people. Adding another layer atop the different facial features, skin tones, etc. As a way of showing individuality right beside community. As a community tends to allow many to truthfully express themselves. Furthermore, with the fashion, I made sure each outfit was unique as a way to show how individuals react to themes. As settings can evoke a certain dress code, regardless each person will still manage to differ in their own style. All are distinctive where that be the textures and materials of their clothing or the decision to wear jewellery or not. Everyone has diverse perspectives and brings something to the table. Additionally, I wanted to showcase the varying degrees of publicity in relationships, with wedding rings or simply being close together. Long, short, braided and gelled hair was incorporated into the character designs to go against traditional masculine and feminine ‘traits’ that have been used against queer people. Also, to showcase how different cultures wear their hair, as well as how valuable hair is to many people. The characters' comfortability displayed in the art accents the pleasure within the piece. I believe being comfortable is another avenue of pride. As pride is brought onto someone through their own satisfaction. So, showing comfort within the poses and implications of the relationships, is just as easily showing pride.
Homophonic
Nick Carpenter
Homophonic is a colourful homage to the queer musicians of the world, past and present. Throughout the last century the fight against homophobia has been an enormous challenge. A key factor in the shift of public acceptance has been the many out and proud musicians who, against great odds, have put themselves in the public eye and created a very visible queer presence in the world. The rainbow colours in this artwork represent the diversity in our artistic community. The fanning out of the ukuleles symbolises the spread and reach that these queer musicians have obtained in sharing their story with the world. As a result, over the decades, these role models have helped normalise homosexuality in popular culture to a point where homophobia is now the outcast. However, the fight still continues, so hopefully the artists of today and tomorrow continue to help raise awareness and contribute as agents of change. The strength and courage of queer musicians is something to be admired.
Rainbow Tangram
Jeanine Kolasa-King
The rainbow tangram is a motive that expresses my feelings about being an ally to the community and my own self exploration of my identity. Still working it out, the tangram in art making suggests that pieces arranged together can make an amazing variety of forms. The tangram inspired my geometric design, along with the iconic rainbow motive, a sign of hope; the beauty after the storm that represents inclusivity, diversity , love and friendship. Piece Description: Gouache, ink and pencil on cotton/water paper
Don’t Just Say Gay
Rhain DiPilla
In a global world it is naive to believe that bigoted bills and attitudes in other nations will not impact sentiment and law-making on our side of the globe - truly the only way to stop the impact of Florida's "Don't say Gay" bill is to ensure that our society recognises and includes all members of society in all conversations and law-making. Variable unlimited print on Fabrianno Academia paper.
Community, Visibility;
The Pride Centre
Ana Hanson
This artwork commemorates the first purpose built LQBTQ centre in Australia, The Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, Melbourne. I wanted to pay homage to the pride centre, not just for its incredible architectural design, but for the incredible importance that community plays in the lives of LGBTQ people. Butterflies symbolise the experience of growth and positivity that many queer people have when they begin to engage with LGBTQ services, often after difficult and painful periods of questioning, fear and self-doubt. Incorporating the Progress Pride Flag, which creates space for recognition of trans people and queer people of colour shows that an ideal community is an inclusive one. Those who are familiar with the colours of the Bisexual Pride Flag may notice that the two blue, purple and pink butterflies flying around the centre symbolise the importance of bi visibility in the queer community.
SUPER DOOPER’s,
We Float, We do not sink WE RISE II
Martha Ackroyd Curtis
Super Dooper's reminds me of summer, of recent memories of being with my girl, holidays at a beach house and raiding the fridge for Super Doopers, and being in love. An extension of the idea of celebration and just loving us and just being us. Super Dooper’s ,1.25 metres x 30cm, sealed plastic compartment, coloured liquid, rubber baby ducks
We float, We do not sink, We Rise III
Martha Ackroyd Curtis
This piece responds to that’s so gay… We float. We do not sink. WE RISE PART III The fanny pack has become a queer couture accompaniment to any festival or event. The pack since the 1970’s has been used as a rebellion against fashion norms in lesbian feminist protests. Now though it is a celebration and always has been very cute on a hip or over the shoulder. This fanny pack: an art installation capsule of rubber baby ducks in bath soap in a this pretty blue number… honey. Rubber ducks have been used in my creative practice since 2017, most recently She Sings. She Breathes. She sighs. An exhibition which focused on 3 separate spaces nuances of emotive elements and where I stand in love and life as lesbian in this century. The rubber ducks featured in a water feature in the first space and have become a symbol to me of queer power through metaphorical discussions. This recent piece has got my girlfriend saying excitedly 'this is so cute baby wear this at sundaylicious’…. Basic fanny pack size, rubber ducks
Unmasking the Masculine
Craig Midford
Reflecting on queer masculinity and what defines us within this sub culture, elements are juxtaposed and layered to illustrate more than one label. Under a cabinet of curiosity this work exhibits the kink with candyland close at heart.
Chicka-tita
Beeza Kneez
Chicka-tita is a loving nod to gay icons ABBA and their world famous gay costume designer Owe Sandström. Sandström designed all of ABBA's tour costumes most notably the ponchos, the purple and pink full-body catsuits and of course the white and silver jumpsuits!
Black panther
Teré
Tribal
Teré
Dragon
Teré
A Series Tatts, His, Hers and Theirs
Oil, House paint, Gold leaf, Sand, Ground glass.
The Virgin Fairy
Charlie Timms-McLean
This piece not only celebrates the LGBTQIA+ Community for its survival against those who would harm us, but it also shines a light on people such as myself who have been victimised by organised religion. As a result of abuse at the hands of a religion teacher, I have lived with extensive PSTD since i was 14. Creating this piece was a way for me to find my voice, the church is not untouchable and i will not be silenced.
Wall, left to right:
Narcissus
Kevin Cook
Narcissus, a beautiful young man who, according to Greek mythology, fell in love with his own reflection.
Fight Like a Girl
Yianni Giovanoglou - RUNNER UP
A humorous take on the stereotypical machismo and bravado that is expected in young men. The parasol and fan both are whimsical alternative ways to protect ones self from the "shady comments" in place of violence.
Masc 4 Masc
Yianni Giovanoglou
This hand-cut collage defies male-coded violence and stereotypical gender expectations to create something that is tender, complex and hopeful. The cluster of butterflies, a symbolic nod to coming out and emerging brand new from the cocoon.
Back row, left to right:
The Virgin Fairy
Charlie Timms-McLean
Yas Queen !!!
Yianni Giovanoglou
A celebration to the Queens and Kings and everything in between that lie in all of us. It's about having the courage, strength and gusto to be your authentic self.
Blossoming
Yianni Giovanoglou
A gentle, tender look and the soft masculinity that has the potential to blossom if allowed to.
Front row:
My Heart Belongs To Daddy
Yianni Giovanoglou
A statement on the complexities of subconsciously seeking a father figure in ones lovers while also nodding to the freedom of embracing the leather community and kink.
Left to Right:
Misgendering in the Hospital which is Really Fun in a Dysphoric State
Cal Harper
misgendering in the hospital which is really fun in a dysphoric state, is a mindfulness drawing created out of triggering misgendering in the context of a mental health psychiatric admission Harper undertook. It has the strong hold colour coding of the Non-Binary flag with intermittent jolts of the masculine blue boys are denoted with from birth. The linear strokes of oil pastel created an action of self soothing through art whilst confronting flaws in gender variant education provided to staff in the facility.
Sick of Hearing the Sound of My Own Thoughts After Thinking About Them All Day
Cal Harper
This embroidery work was created whilst the artist listened to their own poetry around gender acceptance and dysphoria whilst stitching back to the staccato blend of harsh and soft language when addressing oneself in heightened and safe states. The colour scheme is a mixed gradient of that of the Non-Binary pride flag, representing the search for self-validation and acceptance whilst being surrounded by conservative voices in daily life. Embroidery was used as a tool for labour, mindfulness and reflection.
Left to right:
It takes all sorts
Susan Inness
"Liquorice All sorts" require several colours and components to make a complete tasty treat, similar to what is required to make humanity function ie; many different parts of equal importance. The gear wheels are symbolic of the various inputs required to keep the world functioning; they are all part of the larger mechanism they are joined to: the large gear wheel around the earth. The silver text on the gear wheels shows just a few of the requirements for a fully functioning society. The rainbow people represent the GLBTQI communities' various contributions to this purpose. Their hats show just some of their occupations; irrespective of their sexuality or gender identification, they are still contributors and are part of the wider human community, shown by the various faces behind the rainbow figures. So, like it or not GLBTQI people are everywhere around you and are contributing members of the wider community and deserve to be acknowledged and treated as equals in every respect.
We are family
Paul Williams
Acrylic on board. The transition from the San Francisco Pride flag to the Philadelphia Pride flag through flowers. Inspired by a visit to the Pro Hart Gallery in Broken Hill.
Left to right:
My Glitter Gaydar
Michael Rigg
Gayness is a born attribute. Research shows our brains are different and we are born this way. It is indeed the Glitter Cortex.
June
Zoe Mews
"June" is a painting of two fairies and is named after pride month. The ethereal feeling of the painting aims to encapsulate the "magic" of a lesbian relationship. The colour scheme intends to make the viewer feel calm and safe, in a similar fashion to women in a relationship with other women. The painting style reflects a story-book to express how a relationship with a women can sometimes feel almost surreal, or written out. The sparkles and subjects showcase femininity by representing women as graceful, angelic or magical figures. Incorporation of aforementioned elements -colour scheme, style and subjects- expresses the gentle intimacy of a lesbian relationship.
Rainbow fruit
Paul Williams
I first picked up a paint brush in 2021(at almost 70 ) at The Bent Brushes of Castlemaine. I first exhibited at the Castlemaine Pride 2022.
Jude
Zoe Mews
"Jude" highlights the significance of the LGBTQ+ community in the music scene. The painting is named after an individual very important to the artist; who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community and the music scene. "Jude" aims to demonstrate that a LGQBTQ+ persons identity is expressed in various ways; the artist expresses her identity and involvement with the LGBTQ+ community through her paintings, the subject explores her identity through music and performance.
Within Without
Charlotte Louise Billing
The true self within, without the false layers superimposed once upon a time... Permanent marker on glass with mixed media
My Husband in the Ochre Pits
Phillip Siggins
My husband in the Ochre Pits places Chris as the focus in the bleached landscape of the Ochre Pits. The figure obliquely references Rodin's Thinker and the contemplative mood is appropriate given the landscape's indigenous and Gold Rush history. The materials used include pastels, colour pencil and watercolour.
Jason Donovan Gave Good Face
Jonathon Harris
Originally conceived after the vote on marriage equality, this piece allows the viewers to decide who can marry who. Scott and Charlene? Charlene and Charlene? Scott and Scott? It’s an Australian institution going up in smoke! Choose carefully, there could be a court case involved. Vinyl digital image on plexiglass. 2023
Can I
Nadyne de Vel
The question. Can I get through this without breaking into pieces? Personal, emotional, inspiring, confronting, reflective, it's all in the detail. I use my art to look within and deal with my inner fears and self-expression as a woman finding herself after divorce, quitting my career and accepting I am gay.
Left to right:
Paris
Claire Moon
This portrait uses metallic paint and jewels to celebrate loud and proud gender diversity.
Misgendering in the Hospital which is Really Fun in a Dysphoric State
Cal Harper
Description Above
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