The Substation/
Menu/
Dec/
Currently closed

The Substation/ Queer PHOTO: Opening Night/

Photography by Gianna Rizzo.
Location
On-site
The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport, Victoria 3015, Australia
Dates
27 January 2024
Times
Sat 6–10pm
Format
Substation Program/​Free/​Exhibition/​Outdoor Billboard Gallery
Accessibility

The Substation is an accessible venue.

Admission

FREE

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.

Presented by The Substation, Midsumma and PHOTO Australia as part of Queer PHOTO. This launch is supported by Creative Victoria through the Victorian Government’s Go West Fund.

Related/

Exhibition/
Substation Program/
Free
FAFSWAG,
Queer PHOTO: Alteration
Queer PHOTO: Alteration
27 January–28 March 2024
Info Expand

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.

View program
Outdoor Billboard Gallery/
Substation Program/
Free
Queer PHOTO: TBWWWTB
27 January–6 May 2024
Info Expand

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.

What's on
Sign up to our
newsletter 

1 Market Street, Newport,
Victoria 3015, Australia

Currently closed

Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 11-5pm (03) 9391 1110
info@thesubstation.org.au

We acknowledge and recognise the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Yalukit-willam of the Kulin Nation, who are the traditional custodians of the land that The Substation is on. We extend our respects to their ancestors and elders past and present, and to all First Nations people.

We are committed to continually improving our services to ensure our events can be enjoyed by all. If you have specific access requirements (including seating arrangements for events) please get in touch.

Privacy Policy

Supporters:

© 2024 Substation. Website by Base Design.
Menu
What's on
Exhibition/​In Development
Luke George, Shan Turner-Carroll, Peter Waples-Crowe, Amy Claire Mills/​ Ace Hotel - Artist In Residence/​ 2 August 2024–31 May 2025/
Outdoor Billboard Gallery/​Substation Program/​Free
Kate Robinson /​ Recasting Shadows/​ 5 February–23 May 2025/
Prev
Next
Newsletter