Artist Statement
This project emerged from the realisation that the exhibitions I had seen and curated of queer art consisted mainly of portraiture and rarely showed queer life without the person. This project offers a space to consider whether there is another way of representing LGBTQ+ life. It aims to explore ‘landscapes of desire’, the relationship between identity and place, and record queer spaces as challenges to existing photography of queer life. Since sexuality and gender can be ambiguous, invisible and fluid, how can spaces reflect this? Can spaces be queer even if a viewer judges that the bodies are not overtly queer? Can they still be considered queer spaces without any queer bodies inhabiting them? What indicators within or beyond the photograph encourage the viewer’s reading of a space as queer? How important is the title in directing the reading of the image? This series aims to address some of these questions through hyper-saturated photographs of deserted, queer, interior spaces.
This project was created during the first lockdown and the sudden closure of clubs and bars. It questioned the idea of physical space as innately queer. In a time in which many of us exist more online than in the physical world, this idea of queering the landscape is more relevant than ever.
Artist Biography
Charlotte is an artist and curator from London. She is inspired by her travels and work abroad. She has exhibited in London, Brighton and Eastbourne and curated an exhibition to challenge prejudices around the LGBTQ+ community. Her work aims to represent the experiences of self identifying women from around the world and raise awareness of social and environmental issues. Since graduating with a distinction in MA Photography, she co-founded Pachamama Collective, exhibited in Brighton Photo Fringe 2020 and established her own online art shop. Having worked as a Creative Producer for Brighton Artists Network, she joined SEAS to use her marketing skills to promote the cause of socially engaged art.
You can view more of Charlotte's work at www.mywildday.co.uk and also via her Instagram and Twitter @mywildday.
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