The Identity Project – Brighton & Hove Edition is on display for LGBTQ+ History Month and until the end of March 2023, at Plus X Innovation Hub, Lewes Rd, Brighton BN2 4GL
A digital online version of the full exhibition will also be available on this page to view shortly.
2 years after my first solo exhibition of 24 portraits at Jubilee Library, i am delighted to be back for LGBT History Month with all 90 portraits in the Brighton & Hove Edition of The Identity Project.
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Identity is on display on 20 2mx1m panels in 10 windows, half inward facing and half outward facing. Map.
A limited edition poster and zine is available here.
WHY NOW?
After more than 20 years working for various LGBTQ+ media, the project was conceived in 2019 to redress the unhealthy bias of the visual narrative in mainstream media that LGBTQ+ people look a certain way.
By exhibiting in public places, this collection of the diverse faces of Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ community aims to reduce stereotypes in the wider public by challenging assumptions of what this marginalised demographic looks like, and give young queer people and those from marginalised backgrounds role models to look up to.
Homophobic and transphobic hate crime continues to be a blight in our society. Hate is often motivated by the unknown, and by displaying this exhibition, the project will help improve community cohesion through making visible the depth and similarities in the identities we share.
The Identity Project – Brighton & Hove Edition was published as a zine in December 2022 but this is the first time the 90 portraits will come together in one exhibition. Many of the participants have intersectional identities and experiences of marginalisation, for example, LGBTQ+ people of colour or LGBTQ+ people with disabilities, and many of the 90 are activists, who have fought for the inclusion and rights of LGBTQ+ people over the past 5 decades
Portraiture, whether painted, sketched or captured on film, has always been inextricably linked to the notion of identity and these black and white images encourage the viewer to look beyond the paraphernalia of location and engage directly with the sitter.
All families have disagreements and moments of discord, and the rainbow family is no exception, but this project shows that our rich diversity is our greatest strength.