In the space of just 10 years up to 2016 the face of queer London under went a traumatic change and lost half of it’s favorite and safe spaces. Despite this the capital city is still a major gay mecca as new venues such as The Glory more than make up for the the closed down bars. Now there is a new exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery that honors all those that have gone but not forgotten and is a wonderful celebration of queer culture.
Queer Spaces: London, 1980s – Today, casts an eye over the history of the capital’s queer space and pays tribute to the history and legacy of London’s iconic venues. such as the London Lesbian and Gay Centre, First Out Cafe and the Black Cap pub in Camden.
The Exhibit that opens on April 2nd includes rarely displayed archive material collated by University College London’s Urban Laboratory. There are case studies and commissioned artworks from the likes of duo Hannah Quinlan and Rosie Hastings, who have created a piece made of memorabilia gathered from 170 gay bars across the country. Plus Ralph Dunn’s photographic series Public Toilets which casts gay cruising grounds in a romantic light. Prem Sahib completes the line-up of artists, with reworkings of artefacts and interior features salvaged from the now demolished Shoreditch gay sauna Chariots.
There will also be a programme of films, interviews and performances to accompany the exhibition.
