Opening Reception Thursday, May 18, 2023 | 7- 9pm Curator tour Saturday, June 3 | 2-3:30pm
Guest Curator: Andy Warner
Artists: Delzius, Ivy Hazard, Jasper Berehulke, Lara Therrien Boulos, Maureen Long, Nico McGiffin, Shay Gavina
North Van Arts presents Queer Bash, an exhibition of 2SLGBTQ+ community members works’ exploring the juxtapositions of violence and visibility, prejudice in pride festivals, and the word bash: defined as both a celebration and a condemnation depending on its use. The goal of this show is to exhibit unique, dynamic work that brings to the light the resiliency of a community.
Part of Andy Warner’s Curatorial Statement:
Queer-bashing (also referred to as gay-bashing, homophobia, transphobia, femmephobia, transmisogyny, and more) is the act of vicious and unprovoked verbal and/or physical assaults upon queer and trans people or supposed queer and trans people.
The word queer is originally a pejorative slur, but as language evolves, it has been reclaimed by many in the community, and in particular younger generations who use it as a celebration. I describe my sexuality and my gender identity as queer because they both differ from the “Nuclear Family” norm.
The theme of Queer Bash is inspired by North Vancouver’s own history in the debate of free speech vs hate speech.. This show features eight 2SLGBTQ+ artists whose works explore the binary of joy amidst tragedy, critique public vs private support, and blur masculinity with femininity.
