A Weekend Supporting Local LGBTQIA+ Artists
In a world where pinkwashing and queer baiting dominate the discourse, we couldn’t think of a better time to put your money where your mouth is by championing your local queer creatives. That’s what curator Davy Pittoors had in mind when he dreamed up Queeriosities. Celebrating LGBTQIA+ art, craft, and creativity, the fair puts the spotlight on artists, makers and small businesses, with this year promising to be their biggest one yet.
Taking over Peckham’s Copeland Gallery from 1 to 3 November, this year will showcase over 50 LGBTQIA+ artists and creators, offering everything from stunning visual art to handcrafted goods and unique designs. Members from SHOWstudio’s ever-expanding network of illustrators, including Richard Kilroy, will be featured, contributing unique styles to the vibrant mix of exhibitors.
In their first-ever presence in the UK, Queeriosities will host the Bob Mizer Foundation, celebrating the iconic photographer's legacy of capturing bold, unapologetic male beauty. Known for his pioneering work that fused homoeroticism with artistry, Mizer's imagery redefined masculinity through a lens of strength, vulnerability, and sensuality. Except vintage issues of his Physique Pictorial series, offering a glimpse into the groundbreaking work that challenged societal norms and continues to inspire contemporary conversations around body, identity, and queer culture.
More than a marketplace, Queeriosities promises to up the ante this year. Think of it as a blend of a gallery, a market, and a community hub where creative minds meet curious souls. And the best part? It’s packed with programming designed to help you not just browse but dive right into the conversation about queer domesticity, community, and identity. This includes artist Ben Walters’ Badge Cafe, offering a space to connect and create badges from old books and magazines.
This year, an exhibition curated by Pittoors will also be featured. Wendy House explores notions of domesticity and the queer experience with a showcase of miniature and dollhouse works by artists Anka Dabrowksa, Daisy Blower, Daniel Ovalle Costal and Maciek Worosilak. Drawing inspiration from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, the term ‘Wendy House’ evokes a sanctuary where Wendy could heal amid the fantastical landscapes of Neverland — a realm teeming with lost boys, fairies, and endless dreams. The artists’ works challenge our understanding of ‘home’, creating an inclusive space where queerness thrives.
Queeriosities 2024 runs from 1 to 3 November at Peckham’s Copeland Gallery.