Not Just A Phrase
A Pleasure Project Exhibition
Unassigned Gallery
25 Jan - 5 Feb 2024
Installation view of Jay Van Nus, Love from J, 2023 (left); Jay Van Nus, Teta, 2023 (centre); Mads Rowe, In The Meantime, 2023 (right)
ARTISTS
CJ Starc
Dylan Barnes
Frances Cannon
George Keats
Jay Van Nus
Little Eyes Alien
Mads Rowe
Mish Keating
Sophie Shingles
Zoë Sydney
PHOTOGRAPHY
Cintia Sofia
CURATOR
Tor Evans
Curatorial Overview
Installation view of Zoë Sydney’s Don’t Take It Personally, 2020.
Not Just A Phrase brought together over twenty works by ten artists to illuminate words, phrases, symbols and signifiers that hold meaning for queer women and gender diverse people and communities.
Taking its cue from a common statement of queer resistance “it’s not just a phase”, the exhibition explored how we, as queer and trans people, have asserted the validity of our identities in the face of heteronormative expectations.
Words and phrases have continually been used against us, yet the queer community has a long history of subverting and reclaiming language and symbols. Artists revealed how reclaimed words, phrases, and lesbian and trans signifiers shape individual experiences, from helping navigate stereotypes to articulating queer intersectional identities. The exhibition also highlighted the importance of imagery and text in connecting with community, as well as working towards an ideal future for queer and trans people.
Not Just A Phrase demonstrated how queer women and gender diverse people use words, phrases and symbols to signal identity, find community and take back power.
Featured works
-
![A video work played on a CRT TV, which sits on a plinth in Unassigned Gallery. The work depicts non-binary Chinese-Australian artist Mish Keating progressively shaving their head.]()
Mish Keating
Not Another Coming Out Video
2022 -
![Two circular embroided works, one blue with a red heart with a sword going through it, the second pint with an image of a person's torso and carabiners hanging off.]()
CJ Starc
was I really attracted to Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet or did I just want to be him?
2023
(left)
am I a top or a bottom?
2023
(right) -
![Installation view of two people looking at George Keats works - a framed soccer jersey and a mixed media work]()
George Keats
Butch Jersey
2023
(left)
A Shrine to Butch
2023
(right) -
![A painting that combines the design of the trans pride flag with First Peoples’ iconography]()
Dylan Barnes
Ngumbadalngilanha Dhulubang-galang
(United Souls)
2022 -
![A rectangular red textile work with words "QUEER SEX CREATES QUEER FUTURES" sewn on, next to soft sculpture of strap on]()
Zoë Sydney
Queer Sex Creates Queer Futures
2022 -
![Colourful painting of five people embracing one another.]()
Frances Cannon
Casual Tuesday
2023 -
![White wall with yellow, pink and green sticky notes affixed, as well as artworks]()
Community Wall
Interactive section of the exhibition where visitors had the opportunity to contribute art and prose.
-
![Purple A2 print with spanish words inscribed. In the centre there is a pink house, progress pride flag, fist and a purple heart. there are yellow stars around and blue clouds in the corners]()
Little Eyes Alien
Hogar Feminista
(Feminist Home)
2023 -
![Oval embroidered work with a red pocket knife in the centre with the word "DYKE" inscribed on it.]()
Sophie Shingles
God, I Should Really Take This Off My Keychain
2023 -
![A person with short brown hair and a nose piercing, looking to the left at a sprig of lavender. There is an iced latte to their right, as well the text THE BARISTA CALLED OUT "ICED OAT LATTE" AND WE BOTH STEPPED FORWARD AND LAUGHED"]()
Mads Rowe
Small Nods
2023 -
![A trans person on a sky coloured background looking at the word teta]()
Jay Van Nus
Teta
2023
Programs and Events
Opening Event
Thu 25 Jan 6-9pm
Celebration of the exhibition with a live performance by QWINY.
Art Day
Sun 28 Jan 3-6pm
A social art-making afternoon inside the exhibition. Visitors were invited to make art for the community wall.
Spoken Word Night
Thu 1 Feb 6-9pm
A collaboration with Crockpot Poetry that featured a curated line up of queer poets and storytellers, music by Joel Keith and open mic.
Makers Market
Sat 3 Feb 1-5pm
A queer makers market featuring art and craft stalls, a food truck, DJ sets and a live performance by ED MOON.
