The Northern Mosaic Network is spending this week hosting Queer Arts Week to showcase art from a queer lens.
Hosted at The Gallery on 47th Street, the exhibition includes work from a mix of emerging and established artists in the NWT.
Organizers said works don’t necessarily represent queer imagery or queer connection, but could simply be from a queer artist.
“Art is such a good way to express and connect,” said Zain Ali, the group’s director of community programming.
“It’s one of those things that we find a lot of communities can use to hold a bond together, but also show other people who they are through the medium of art.”
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Yellowknife is a very artsy community, Ali said, so “it’s a great way for folks to connect and maybe have people look at our art that wouldn’t normally look at queer art, or have conversations with queer artists specifically about this lens of their creation.”
Pieces in the exhibit include “critter doodles” by artist Laley Was Here, a physical art medicine cabinet by Marcus Jackson, and collaborative pieces created by the Northern Mosaic Network on the Transgender Day of Remembrance over a series of years.
The art is a no-sale showing, meaning the pieces aren’t for sale through the gallery. People can purchase art after the showing directly from the artists.
The exhibition, which began on Monday, closes on Thursday with a reception from 4-8pm that includes wine and cheese alongside the opportunity to meet the artists.
“That will be a chance for the artists to speak to their pieces, meet one another,” Ali said. “Folks can come and take a look … and enjoy being surrounded by queer art.”
The exhibit is free to attend. Entry to the closing reception is by donation.
