Resources

(UN)Defining QUEER AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS

Image: Ajamu X, Bud Kim, 2018 © the artist, Ajamu Studio

(Un)Defining Queer is an exhibition which delves into the Whitworth’s collection to examine how we can use a queer lens to define what the term ‘queer’ means. Presenting collection works that have never been on display before as well as loans, the exhibition includes artists such as: Ajamu X, Niki de Saint Phalle, General Idea, David Hockney, Maggie Hambling, Pearl Alcock, Keith Vaughan, Matthew Bamber, Sarah-Joy Ford, Wolfgang Tilmans, Chester Tenneson, and Jez Dolan.

Co-led by an intersectional group of people who self-identify as LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning, intersex, and asexual), the project sets out to interrogate language, histories, and narratives within the Whitworth’s practice and collections. More specifically, the project and exhibition seek to redress historic omissions that have existed as a result of heteronormative museum practice.

Using the links below, you can listen to audio descriptions of works within the exhibition selected by (Un)Defining Queer participants, as well as contributors from The Men’s Room; the only organisation in the UK whose core mission is supporting marginalised young men and Trans people engaged in sex work or at risk of exploitation.

https://aplacebetweenthetrees.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/place-betwen-trees/

The Mens Room Zine

The Men’s Room staff and participants worked alongside Dominic and the (Un)Defining Queer Exhibition at The Whitworth. Together, we reflected on the art works and identified themes that we can still connect with today.

Please enjoy our Zine, we have taken inspiration from the imagery and text from the exhibition and reworked them to tell our own stories about what it is like to be queer in 2023.

We hope we have embraced and reflected the diversity of our participants whilst promoting dignity, equality, and increased LGBTQ+ visibility as a social group to the wider public.

The Men’s Room is a creative community for male, trans and non-binary people who sex work. Creativity is at the heart of all we do, and we believe it has the power to transform people’s lives.

British Art Show 9

During the Summer of 2022, alongside the opening of the British Art Show 9 (BAS9) in Manchester, artist MATT N has been working with the Whitworth to bring together a group of Queer & Neurodivergent individuals, exploring the concept of Safe Space(s) as a tactic for Care & Togetherness.

Since July, the group has been meeting weekly for sessions, both online & in-person at the Whitworth. The group has taken part in a series of conversations and creative workshops, developed a shared ‘Safe Space Agreement’ and produced insightful responses to the project’s themes.

The final outcome of our work on this project has resulted in the creation of this zine publication, which aims to highlight the journey and findings of our group whilst also acting as a toolkit for other arts organisations. The zine shares the approaches and methodologies our facilitators have used on this project and intends to demonstrate how other organisations can develop ‘Safe Spaces’ for Queer and Neurodivergent identities in their own establishments and engagement practices.