The Substation/ Vic Bakin/ Queer PHOTO: TBWWWTB/
Wheelchair accessible
FREE
PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION, MIDSUMMA AND PHOTO AUSTRALIA
TBWWWTB (To Be Who We Want To Be) is a series of six works by Ukrainian artist Vic Bakin on display at The Substation outdoor Billboard Gallery. After decades of Soviet forbiddance and suppression, the queer scene in Ukraine has sprouted from the underground. In TBWWWTB (To Be Who We Want To Be), Bakin captures images of this emerging community during the Russian invasion.
“While still being marginalized by the society brought up in Soviet times, the Ukrainian queer scene, little by little, obtains its own unique voice, different from others,” says Bakin. “I personally feel obliged to give this voice a visual form, one of many.”
“The message is simple: each person deserves the right for self identification, the right to be who we want to be. Quiet but brave at the same time, we, these people, are facing another round of oppression coming from the same cancerous imperialistic entity. However, it’s already clear that the new generation will be the one who will change our country for the better. I admire these beautiful people.”
This exhibition curated by Brendan McCleary.
ABOUT THE BILLBOARD GALLERY
The Substation Billboard Gallery is located outdoors on the east wall of the building, parallel to the train line. Read on for access and travel information.
Presented by The Substation in collaboration with Midsumma and PHOTO Australia as part of Queer PHOTO. Queer PHOTO is presented by Midsumma and PHOTO 2024 in association with Trocadero Artspace.
Related/
Free/
Exhibition/
Outdoor Billboard Gallery
Queer PHOTO: Opening Night
PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION, MIDSUMMA & PHOTO AUSTRALIA
A first of its kind photography exhibition and a celebration of queer communities and artists, The Substation is thrilled to host the opening event of Queer PHOTO, in partnership with Midsumma and PHOTO 2024.
Comprising artist commissions of large-scale outdoor artworks, gallery exhibitions, and an interactive public performance program by local and international artists, Queer PHOTO will take place across seven locations in Newport, Werribee and Footscray from 27 January to 24 March 2024.
Join us at the opening event at The Substation on Saturday 27 January from 6pm for food, drinks, music, performances, photo booths and, of course, art!
Opening on the night will be two exhibitions, presented by The Substation as part of Queer PHOTO: 'Alteration' by FAFSWAG in The Substation Gallery, a contemplation of ancestry and legacy that redefines the cultural image of Queer Pacific bodies living on stolen land and seeks to break a now predictable and fixed set of colonial determinants; and 'TBWWWTB (To Be Who We Want To Be)' by Vic Bakin on The Substation Billboard Gallery, a celebration of Ukraine’s queer community that has sprouted from the underground following decades of Soviet forbiddance and suppression.
Entry to the launch event is free, but capacity is limited, so bookings are essential.
SET LIST
MAIN SPACE - LEVEL 1
All Night - Projection Art by Jake Elwes (UK)
6pm - Jo Christy
6pm - Photobooth with Matto
7pm - Welcome with Shantel
7.05pm - Welcome to Country with Jaeden
7.15pm - Speeches
7.40pm - Naarm Ballroom Community
7.45pm - Shinobi
8.45pm -Tali
10pm - The End
GALLERY - OUTDOOR
All Night - 'TBWWWTB' by Vic Bakin (UA)
All Night - 'So'otaga (Connection)' by Leilani Fuimaono
CHILL SPACE - LEVEL 1
All Night - Couch hangs + vibes
GALLERY - GROUND
All Night - 'Alteration' by FAFSWAG (NZ)
HOW TO BOOK
Book your place here, through the Midsumma website.
WARNINGS
This is an 18+ event.
ACCESS
This event is wheelchair accessible and gender neutral accessible toilets are available. Registered assistance animals are welcome.
Two Sighted Guides will be available at this event to walk people through the space and describe what is happening. A Sighted Guide is a key access tool enabling people who are blind, or have low vision, to equitably access arts and culture.
AUSLAN INTERPRETATION
This event will be Auslan interpreted.
Substation Program/
Free
Queer PHOTO: Alteration
PRESENTED BY THE SUBSTATION
Meeting at the intersections of cultural archival practices, digital technology and queer Indigenous storytelling, Alteration presents a glimpse into the shapeshifting practice of FAFSWAG, an Aotearoa-based queer Polynesian arts collective.
Compiling a decade of artistic output, with two years of co-design, co-curation, research and production, this show presents a mixed media archival exhibition of significant works from the collective from 2013 to now.
Contemplating ancestry and legacy, reclaiming stolen narratives, speculating fictional futures, and redefining the cultural image of queer Pacific bodies living on stolen land, Alteration seeks to break down predictable, fixed colonial narratives.
Alteration is FAFSWAG’s landmark Australian show created by Jermaine Dean, Falencie Filipo, Tanu Gago, Tapuaki Helu, Elyssia Wilson Heti, Nahora Ioane, Hōhua Ropate Kurene, Moe Laga-Toleafoa, Ilalia Loau, Tim Swann, Pati Solomona Tyrell and James Waititi. Curated collaboratively by FAFSWAG members Tanu Gago, Elyssia Wilson-Heti, Pati Tyrell and James Waititi with The Substation team, Nuala Furtado and Shae Rooke.
Selected works from FAFSWAG's 'Alteration' are on display at Footscray Community Arts Centre. Artworks are located across the Riverside Lawn, Myrtle Cafe, Lawn River & Pier and the Weaving Sustainable Futures garden.
PURCHASE A LIMITED EDITION PRINT
Limited edition prints of select works featured in 'Alteration' are available to purchase.
To view available prints and register your interest in purchasing one, fill out the FAFSWAG Artwork Sales EOI Form, and our team will be in touch.
CONTENT WARNINGS
Please be aware this exhibition has low lighting.
ACCESS
This exhibition is wheelchair accessible and gender neutral accessible toilets are available.
