'Queer Pictures’ On Display (Press, 12 March 1986)

In April 1986, Christchurch will host an exhibition featuring eleven gay and lesbian artists as part of a national tour titled “Queer Pictures.” The exhibition will take place at the Manawa Gallery from April 6 to 11, following its launch in Auckland earlier that month. The tour will also visit Wellington, Karamea, Nelson, and Dunedin. Mark Summerville, one of the artists involved, expressed the group’s intention to provoke public thought regarding their art and identity. He stated that they hoped people would engage with the exhibition and reflect on its meaning. Summerville noted that while some may interpret this homosexual art as inherently sexual, he clarified that the works are not sexual in nature. The group's objective is for the public to explore the concept of queerness represented in their art. The artists are students from the Elam Arts School, comprising three women and eight men, with some women opting out of participation due to concerns about their family’s acceptance. The exhibition builds on the success of their previous show in Auckland, which drew a crowd of 500 and received positive feedback. Summerville expressed optimism about public reception during the upcoming tour, stating that the timing coincides with the third reading of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill, a topic currently being debated in Parliament. The art showcased will include diverse forms such as painting, sculpture, prints, drawings, and video. Notably, the exhibition will feature two videos that Summerville contributed to; one is a ten-minute dream sequence film titled “Homosensual,” while the other is a documentary profiling the gay and lesbian communities in Auckland. The films are integrated into the exhibition but are not designed to persuade audiences, according to Summerville. The exhibiting artists, members of the Gay and Lesbian Arts Group, include Sally Smith, Adriana Tuscia, Maureen Jaggard, Alastair Floyd, Fear Brampton, Edward Bennett, Mark Hutchins, Gary Cocker, Paul Rayner, Bede Stevens, and Mark Summerville. The overall aim of the exhibition is to spark interest and dialogue surrounding gay and lesbian issues, particularly in light of the current legislative discussions.

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