FACET is an innovative nine-month project, presented by VSSL Studio in partnership with Arts Council England, designed to centre and elevate queer people and art. From May 2023 to January 2024, VSSL Studio will collaborate with five contemporary visual artists to co-produce a series of five exhibitions, exploring the ever-evolving and myriad spectrum of contemporary queer expression. Featuring exhibitions from: Alicia Radage + Benjamin Sebastian, June Lam, Rocio Boliver and Marcin Gawin - as well as a dynamic group exhibition. Each showcase will offer an immersive experience that celebrates queer culture through an expansive range of mediums.
As part of FACET, VSSL Studio will facilitate bespoke mentoring packages for lead artists, providing them with valuable opportunities to develop their skills and network with industry professionals. Lead artists will also act as guest curators; hosting a range of events that will complement the exhibitions, including workshops, artist talks, film screenings, and performances. These events aim to encourage visitors to engage with the artwork on a deeper level and promote meaningful conversations around queer culture, while acting as a portal into the non-homogeneity of expanded queer communities, allowing for multifaceted readings of contemporary queer experiences.
Queer art has historically defied traditional boundaries and categories, often using interdisciplinary approaches that challenge established norms and conventions. It is an art form that speaks to and from queer experiences and their’ communities - by exploring themes of identity, gender, sexuality and the intersections between them.
Finally, it is VSSL Studio’s aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment surrounding the FACET programme, that fosters collaboration and strengthens the connective tissues between learning, making, curating and exhibition. VSSL Studio will provide a 4-month studio bursary to a young, queer visual artist - as well as - paid internships for two young, queer people living in Lewisham.
Join us on this exciting journey as we celebrate, centre & elevate queer artists, communities and their continued contributions to contemporary art and the cultural fabric of the U.K.
-> Read more about the complete FACET programme HERE
As part of FACET, VSSL Studio will facilitate bespoke mentoring packages for lead artists, providing them with valuable opportunities to develop their skills and network with industry professionals. Lead artists will also act as guest curators; hosting a range of events that will complement the exhibitions, including workshops, artist talks, film screenings, and performances. These events aim to encourage visitors to engage with the artwork on a deeper level and promote meaningful conversations around queer culture, while acting as a portal into the non-homogeneity of expanded queer communities, allowing for multifaceted readings of contemporary queer experiences.
Queer art has historically defied traditional boundaries and categories, often using interdisciplinary approaches that challenge established norms and conventions. It is an art form that speaks to and from queer experiences and their’ communities - by exploring themes of identity, gender, sexuality and the intersections between them.
Finally, it is VSSL Studio’s aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment surrounding the FACET programme, that fosters collaboration and strengthens the connective tissues between learning, making, curating and exhibition. VSSL Studio will provide a 4-month studio bursary to a young, queer visual artist - as well as - paid internships for two young, queer people living in Lewisham.
Join us on this exciting journey as we celebrate, centre & elevate queer artists, communities and their continued contributions to contemporary art and the cultural fabric of the U.K.
-> Read more about the complete FACET programme HERE
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