A HUB of queer art is coming to town as part of the Bendigo Pride Festival.<\/p>\n
The Q+ Hub, made from a reclaimed shipping container, will host a number of events including performances, parties and workshops.<\/p>\n
Artist and former Bendigo local Matto Lucas will display his work, with a public art installation and collection of queer stories.<\/p>\n
Mr Lucas said he was approached by creative director of Q+ Benjamin Guiard and immediately accepted the offer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got this email during the pandemic from Benjamin saying that he came across me and my work and was really interested if I\u2019d be a part of this project,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe sent this video through and it was really amazing and very inspiring, so I immediately said yes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Q+ aims to connect queer communities across Australia, especially in rural and regional communities.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s hub will feature cinema and drag performances, with a live mural by artist David Pereira.<\/p>\n
Performances by renowned drag queens Polly Filla and Sexy Galexy will take place at the venue as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe work I\u2019m doing is a story collection work in two forms, so a written component and also a brief chat a recorded discussion and sound component with me,\u201d Mr Lucas said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are invited to come down and write a short letter to their past selves, or anonymously to a queer person they might know.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re encouraged to write something positive or encouraging to benefit a past version of themselves, what would you tell yourself knowing what you know now?\u201d<\/p>\n
The sound installation will also include unique, queer stories broadcast inside the hub.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot the clich\u00e9 coming-out stories or tragedy porn but unique, niche stories,\u201d Mr Lucas said. \u201cI\u2019ll be recording interviews with people and adding them to that sound installation as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Raised in Bendigo, Mr Lucas said being a part the Pride Festival will be a huge moment for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 33 which isn\u2019t that old but growing up there was pretty difficult,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t even know what the term gay was, no one spoke about queerness, there was no language to talk about homosexuality unless it was something abusive.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember being in high school and thinking maybe I\u2019m an alien who was sent to earth, and I\u2019m meant to like girls.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes me envious to be a youth in Bendigo! I\u2019m so proud and happy for them and so envious that they get something like this now.”<\/p>\n
The Q+ Hub will be open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, 27 March and Sunday, 28 March and located in Rosalind Park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A HUB of queer art is coming to town as part of the Bendigo Pride Festival. The Q+ Hub, made from a reclaimed shipping container, will host a number of events including performances, parties and workshops. Artist and former Bendigo local Matto Lucas will display his work, with a public art installation and collection of […]<\/p>\n