Derek Jarman​ - Delphinium Days exhibition

The Delphinium Days exhibition at the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, presents a compelling retrospective of Derek Jarman's artistic and activist legacy. This first major solo exhibition of Jarman's works in New Zealand was organised collaboratively by City Gallery Wellington, Gus Fisher Gallery, and the Dowse. It includes an array of paintings, photographs, short films, and assemblages that span decades, offering a nuanced exploration of Jarman’s multifaceted contributions to art and queer culture.

The exhibition features notable highlights such as Jarman’s "Evil Queen" series, including "Blind Maniac," a deeply visceral painting marked by dramatic textures and poignant textual elements. The "Black Paintings" series includes mixed-media pieces incorporating found objects like broken glass and bullets, which evoke themes of power, resistance, and personal conflict. These works reflect Jarman’s critique of colonialism and authority, drawing from both his personal experiences and broader socio-political narratives.

Another central component is Jarman’s acclaimed 1993 film "Blue", a meditative piece created during his battle with AIDS-related vision loss. The 72-minute feature, consisting of a blue screen accompanied by an evocative soundscape, reflects his experiences of deteriorating health, personal memories, and existential reflections. The work’s minimalist yet profound approach captures the universal resonance of loss and resilience.

Photographs by Howard Sooley documenting Prospect Cottage, Jarman’s iconic home and garden in the UK, add an intimate layer to the exhibition. These images juxtapose the vibrancy of the garden with the visible effects of Jarman’s illness, encapsulating themes of growth and decay. The cottage itself, located on the remote Dungeness coast, became a sanctuary and creative hub, symbolising his defiance against adversity.

The exhibition also highlights the intersection of Jarman’s artistic and activist roles. For instance, a significant moment in Jarman’s life was his canonisation as Britain’s first gay saint by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an event commemorated in photographs and ephemera on display. This celebration of identity and defiance underscores the humour and joy that were integral to Jarman’s practice, even in the face of societal and personal challenges.

Complementing Jarman’s works is the parallel exhibition, "Beautiful Flowers and How to Grow Them", by New Zealand artist Paul Johns. Curated by DJCS, it documents intimate moments within Christchurch’s queer and transgender communities during the 1970s. This juxtaposition underscores the universal importance of community and visibility in marginalised groups.

The accompanying public programmes further enhance the exhibition’s impact, ranging from film screenings of Jarman’s works to live performances. Highlights include Tobias Allen’s dance-based homage to Jarman and Douglas Wright, and "The Bluest Ball," a collaborative event celebrating queer identity and activism. Workshops like seed-packet creation encouraged visitors to reflect on Jarman’s love of words and gardening, fostering personal engagement with his legacy.

Audience responses have been overwhelmingly positive, with many visitors deeply moved by the exhibition’s exploration of Jarman’s life and influence. For some, it has been an opportunity to connect with an artist whose work profoundly shaped queer art and culture, while others were introduced to his legacy for the first time. The exhibition successfully bridges historical and contemporary contexts, resonating across generations and communities.

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Graham Frost

1990s, 2020s, art gallery of new south wales, artist, arts, beautiful flowers and how to grow them (exhibition, 2024), black paintings (derek jarman), blue (film, derek jarman), carmen rupe, christchurch, city gallery wellington te whare toi, delphinium days (exhibition), denis doran, derek brown, derek jarman, djcs, douglas wright, dowse art museum, dungeness (kent, uk), evil queen (derek jarman), film, film making, fire island (new york), ganymede, gardening, gordon rainsford, graham frost, hiv / aids, howard sooley, lazarus and orijah marama (the first children of the trailblazing kiki house of marama), lower hutt, painting, paul johns, performance, postcard, prospect cottage (derek jarman), queer, queer film, royal air force (uk), sainthood, sisters of perpetual indulgence, the balcony / le balcon, tobias allen, transgender, united kingdom, wellington

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