Shout out for subjects to feature in LGBT+ photo exhibition
A Shropshire-based photographer is looking for people to feature in an exhibition focusing on older members of the LGBT+ community in the area.
Ming de Nasty has been commissioned to lead a project with older LGBT+ residents of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin which will focus on identity and representation. The project provides an opportunity for individuals to tell their story and control their image.
The LGBT+ Identity Collection will be exhibited at Shropshire Council venues such as Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Library, and also in the window of the Age Concern shop in Shrewsbury.
People aged 50+ and part of the LGBT+ community are invited to attend workshops and bring along photographs, photo albums, images or small objects that illustrate a story from their lives. Participants will be asked to share the story behind the item, which will provide an oral history for the project.
Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:-
“This is an excellent project that will provide a very human and relatable exhibition and form an interesting part of our archive.
“Ming’s photography offers a different perspective, with individuals expressing a confidence and sense of identity in their gaze and position. The portraits she creates are acclaimed and award-winning and speak of diversity and challenging stereotypes.”
Ming said:-
“I am working with SAND (Safe Ageing No Discrimination) and the arts organisation GRAIN Projects to create a study of what it is to be older and LGBT+ in Shropshire, looking especially at identity and respect, and I am really keen for people across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin to be involved.
“The collaborative portraits will become part of an LGBT+ archive for the two areas, and a selection will be curated for public exhibition and publication.”
To get involved, people are invited to attend any number of a series of workshops being held at Palmers Café in Claremont Street, Shrewsbury, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on some Wednesdays: 12 July, 9 August, 13 September and 4 October 2023.
Anyone interested in taking part, or who would like to chat about possible involvement, can contact Ming on 07980 922570 or email: ming@mingdenasty.co.uk