What does YES Exhibition do and what is it all about?
YES Exhibition is a yearly art exhibition that brings together artists from the LGBTQ+ community. It was born in response to the 2017 plebiscite in which the Australian public were asked to vote on whether same-sex marriage should be legalised. This invited public debate, and suddenly, the queer community was exposed to spurious and harmful comments as people expressed their opinion on an issue that does not impact them. It felt as if Australia was moving backwards. The plebiscite revealed a need to create spaces in which queer voices are not diminished, but rather amplified. This is what inspired the creation of YES Exhibition – a desire to turn an experience that threatened to drown out the voices of LGBTQ+ people into something that celebrates the strength and vibrancy of the queer community.
YES Exhibition creates a safe space for LGBTQ+ artists and their art. Although in its infancy, it is such an essential platform you are providing. Where do you hope YES Exhibition might go in the future?
Thank you! This year’s showcase held in mid-November at aMBUSH gallery in Waterloo was the fourth event held and the fifth year running. I would love for YES Exhibition to reach more people. Previously YES Exhibition has been part of art fairs (The Other Art Fair, for example) and has had pop-up stores during other months of the year, which is something I’d like to explore further. There are also other prominent LGBTQ+ events of the year, like Mardi Gras, Season and Pride Month in June, which I’d like to explore for more projects. Ultimately though, future plans are to develop something that is accessible all year round, like an online store and blog featuring artist interviews, biographies, etc. Watch this space!
Who are the artists currently involved in YES Exhibition?
There are a few artists who have been involved with projects from the beginning and continue to be part of the YES family. Amy Blue (@amyblueillustration) is an illustrator whose vibrant works reference pop culture and mainstream media contextualised for queer eyes. Antony Makhlouf (@antonymakhlouf) is a multidisciplinary creative working with visual arts including commercial prints, murals, and teaching art techniques. Maya Mulvey-Santana’s (@maya_theartist) practice flows between painting, illustration, and video/installation work that often features a love for the colour pink. And Samuel Luke (@samuellukeart) is an illustrator creating comics, prints, and embroidery works exploring intimate realities about being transgender.
What are the kinds of themes YES Exhibition artists explore, and why is it important these voices are heard within the art world, and otherwise?
As YES has grown, I have realised just how much this platform is needed in the arts community. From the outside looking in it may appear as though LGBTQ+ voices are being heard in the arts, but there are barriers that are less visible. Support for the LGBTQ+ community by platforms and companies can often be superficial or tokenistic. A part of the ethos of YES Exhibition is that there aren’t any limitations put on the artists, the stories they tell or how they tell them. Themes surrounding LGBTQ+ experiences are at the forefront, but overall YES Exhibition allows artists to freely express themselves. Last year’s show, for example, showcased themes of challenging society’s views of gender, historical cultural movements, healing and honouring your inner child in adulthood, as well as confronting “otherness” and erasure within communities. By including a wide range of themes, YES Exhibition draws attention to the diverse experiences of LGBTQ+ people. For a community that is often misrepresented or pigeonholed, I feel it is important to showcase a range of stories so that audiences are more likely to see themselves represented in an authentic and meaningful way.
Are there any recent YES Exhibition projects you have been particularly proud of?
The very first exhibition back in 2018 will always have a special place in my heart, it was joyous and celebratory, but last year’s event was particularly magical. The artist line-up doubled from previous years and the gallery was grander in space and prominence. I’m in awe of the talent that the artists produced for the showcase, and I’m overjoyed and grateful for all involved. The queer and arts communities really came through; the turnout was astounding! The atmosphere was all love, and it was a full house for the entire opening night with queues down the street!
Who are the artists/creatives on your radar now?
Ziggy Grana (@zigs.psd) is an illustrator depicting themes of everyday growth, resilience, and divinity as a transgender person through whimsical, vibrant, and detailed visuals. Risako Katsumata (@risa.kats) is a genderqueer Japanese artist exploring the intersectionality of race and sexuality through image making, movement, and dance. Joe Say (@joe.the.maker) is a ceramicist who recently released a series of vases portraying themes of kink culture and body positivity, which has been stocked at the NGV Design Store, Melbourne alongside its QUEER exhibition.
Featured image: YES Exhibition 2021 at aMBUSH gallery, Waterloo with co-founders Joshua Cameron and Bowen Halkett.