Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring and Beauford Delaney. These are some of the names which come to mind when I think of queer artists. Iconic and crucial to queer history, they have helped pave the way for the queer arts scene we know today.
So, why is queer art still somewhat misunderstood?
Perhaps, this is due to how mainstream culture persistently hushes queer narratives. Through my own experiences, I have found that even in the context of more accepting communities, the celebration of queerness has been labelled as ‘too in your face’ or as sidelining ‘the narrative’. In response to this, we must push for the recognition, celebration and respect that these artists deserve. We need to make a genuine effort to provide queer artists with the space to self-express, describe art on their own terms, free from constraints.
Supporting queer artists is necessary to keep the movement flourishing. For instance, in Edinburgh there are numerous drag shows. These are performance-based artworks which involve fashion, dance, music and individuality. If this is something which would interest you, I would recommend the event nights at CC Blooms. Alternatively, Cowgate’s Subway hosts the Tracks Drag Show on Monday evenings (@tracksmondays).
If you don’t have the funds to directly purchase tickets or artworks, there are still many ways you can support queer artists. For instance, sharing queer art on social media can provide more online visibility for artists. You can find many queer artists via Instagram, such as (@Katejustknits). Through the underrated medium of textiles, they directly address queer and feminist issues, topical for all. (@Kinglotusboy), is another queer account worth following. They skillfully create artistic styles for fun drag performances. After all, finding a range of artistic mediums is vital for validating less traditional art forms, acknowledging them as the true, creative art pieces they are.
Educating and immersing yourself within the queer art scene is so fundamental in supporting the movement. To put it frankly, no one else but the artist should have autonomy over their expressions of their queer narrative.
Image Credit: “Keith Haring” by Cristophe Becker is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.