QUEER FRIENDS
Meet the team behind one of the most exciting (and important) LGBTQ exhibitions this season.
One of the most important LGBTQ exhibitions this season, Queer Friends – by friends James Barnett and Poppy French – explores the power of queer visibility and queer empowerment. Here, with exclusive images, explore some of the 72 subjects that show the excellence within our community.
In the heart of Dalston lives a club that holds a dear place in the heart of many. Maybe it’s the site of some amazing – if be it slightly blurry – drunken nights out. Maybe it’s because it’s a place where you met great pals. Or most likely, it’s because it’s one of the most famous and important LGBTQ spaces in London.
In a time where LGBTQ spaces are (sadly) constantly closing, Dalston Superstore has kept its doors open and it’s sticky dance floors full, putting on varied events celebrating the colourful excellence of queer culture. Alongside banging club nights and incredible food – seriously, bury me next to a Superstore Burger – Dalston Superstore also highlights queer artists by unveiling some stunning exhibitions.
Their latest look at local queer artists comes in the form of their newest exhibition Queer Friends by STUDIOGRABDOWN. A project created by friends James Barnett and Poppy French, who have been working together for nearly 10 years after becoming pals in the sweaty mosh pits of Reading Festival in 2007. The duo’s latest work is an ongoing portrait series of queer people within their community.
Originally starting off by photographing people they knew, they went on to include some well-known LGBTQ ambassadors, such as the British-Chinese gender-fuck pop star and activist Le Fil who you may know from starring in huge promos for brands like Smirnoff and Toyota, screenwriter, novelist and one half of the writing duo to makes sure Sherlock always kept us on our toes, Mark Gatiss, and awardwinning performer Harry Clayton-Wright.
Focussed on using the work as another exploration of queer visibility, there’s a raw intimacy to the project, possibly due to none of the 72 subjects that they shot being retouched and no over-the-top lighting or settings being used – really highlighting the individual. With both James and Poppy describing themselves as white, cisgendered, middle class people, their aim was to portray the individuals shot exactly as how they would like to be portrayed and there’s a stunning and striking uniqueness to each one of their photographs.
In the current climate of LGBTQ spaces shutting down, this exhibition and Dalston Superstore’s continued efforts to celebrate and highlight the queer community is a poignant glimpse into the lives of the individuals who enrich the community and who’ll be affected if the continued closure of safe spaces goes on. James and Poppy understand this and have used the launch of Queer Friends to emphasise the funding required to continue to support the new London LGBTQ+ Community Centre Project.
Available to view until July, make sure you check out the exhibition, have a burger, have a boogie and, above all things, celebrate one of the best queer venues in London.