OUR LIFE IS ONE OF LIGHTS AND SHADOWS

Sculptural installation

(wood, acrylic paint, 6” electronic disco light)

A hand-made, white, painted coffin, imbued with the hand-written words from the 1990 San Francisco “Queer Nation” manifesto; a call-to-arms, a memoriam, declaration and epitaph of solidarity. The casket is lined inside with the synthetic rainbow flag, as a single 6” disco light silently spins, a kind of morbid party, attempting to coalesce both a solemn, respectful memento mori and tongue-in-cheek camp-ness, that our queer family are infamous for.

The title of this work is a homage to one of David McDiarmid Ranbow Aphorism works, “Girlfriend, our life is one of lights and shadow” 1994.

Shortlisted for the Australia Post Midsumma Art Prize 2021 at No Vacancy Gallery Melbourne.

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