PoMoGaze is a project brought to you by Leeds Museums and Galleries working collaboratively with the community to raise the profile of queer cultural activities across West Yorkshire.
PoMoGaze festival links cultural activities which are being delivered and promoted by queer artists, organisations, academics and activists but also events which will be of interest to these audiences. The word PoMoGaze is formed from combining ‘PoMo’, a shortening of Post-Modern, with the multiple meanings suggested by Gaze.
Queer culture is a broad term which includes a variety of activities of interest to a range of audiences including LGBTIQ communities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer). Queer culture tells authentic stories of LGBTIQ people’s lives but also others who may feel marginalised. Queer cultural practitioners are connected by a shared interest in undermining traditional ideas about gender, sexuality, embodiment and power and so the art is often transgressive, provocative and challenging.
As part of the festival there will be a number of cultural events happening across West Yorkshire involving numerous organisations working together, for a snap-shot of the events please see the downloads section for details or visit the relevant website of the event organiser.
AGender: A Conference on Female and Transgender Masculinities 16 & 17 June 2014 at Leeds Art Gallery
Alongside the PoMoGaze festival is a conference inspired by the artwork (and lives) of the artists Marlow Moss and Claude Cahun which will be shown in exhibitions at Leeds Art Gallery during the summer of 2014. It will explore female and transgender masculinities in the context of visual arts, queer culture and community engagement. In a lively combination of key note presentations and participative workshops, this event will explore queer culture and discuss strategies to challenge negative attitudes to gender variance. Please see the programme and more about the workshops by clicking on the pdf list. Enquiries about the conference should be addressed to Jude Woods, [email protected]
Queer Eye Group; Explore Queer Culture at Leeds Art Gallery
A new group ‘Queer Eye’ which explores Queer Culture at Leeds Art Gallery has been established. The group is taking a break over the summer but we are intending to start again in October 2014. It is a space for people who are interested in gender and queer culture to share ideas, explore visual arts, gallery performance and our collection of artworks with a queer eye and mind. Everyone is welcome - whether you are new to this subject or if you are already involved in queer cultural projects. Contact Jude Woods (email: [email protected] or phone: 0113 247 7021) if you would like to join the group in October.
PoMoGaze Festival 2014 programme.
'Homage to Claude'
Image produced by artist Ryan Thompson for PoMoGaze Festival