Women’s issues in the spotlight
Bringing visibility to women’s sexuality is at the forefront of a South Auckland art exhibition.
When Can I See You Again is the collective effort of seven LGBTQI women as part of Auckland Pride Festival.
The exhibition at Otara’s Fresh Gallery is a collection of multimedia and multicultural works by emerging artists.
Luisa Tora is one of the curators and says the exhibition came about as a push to be have more women in Pride.
‘‘We’ve identified that gap and have made an effort to be more inclusive,’’ Tora says.
‘‘It’s always lovely working with women. It’s really fun and a great thing to come out of it at the end and get to have a party with all your favourite people.’’
She’s hopeful they’ll be able to connect with the South Auckland community and is looking forward to the conversations that will come out of it.
‘‘There’s a real positive buzz around it. Hopefully we get a flood of queer and female friendly people coming through.’’
Rope knotting and jewellery adornment workshops, a conversation with the artists, and an opening night bus are some of the free events being held as part of its five week run.
Tora is a Fijian artist with a background in human rights and journalism and she forged an art career since moving to New Zealand in 2009.
It’s important to have their stories represented and be able to create conversations about things like female sexuality, power, desire, and safe spaces, she says.
‘‘We always talk about that as friends and about our safe spaces and question how inclusive the LGBTQI community is.
‘‘If you don’t see yourself reflected in the media then you need to write those stories if you want them to be read.’’
Fellow artist Sangeeta Singh is displaying her print work in the exhibition and says it’s a great opportunity for her to do something with her friends.
‘‘I want to represent my com- munity and myself as an IndoFijian lesbian artist, there aren’t many of me that I know about,’’ Singh says.
When Can I See You Again opens on February 17 and runs until March 25 at Fresh Gallery, Otara.
Go to aucklandpridefestival.org.nz for more information on the exhibition.