(Un)Defining Queer exhibition tour + meet artist Jez Dolan

Portraits of Recovery with Sober Gay Socials invite you to a FREE guided tour of the exhibition (Un)Defining Queer by curator Dominic Bilton, at The Whitworth. Also, an opportunity to meet Recovery Month commissioned artist Jez Dolan. 1-3pm on Saturday 27th May. Book your ticket here.

Open to LGBT+ people with a desire for change and/or in recovery from substance use.

(Un)Defining Queer presents a collection works that have never been on display before, as well as loans. The exhibition includes queer artists such as: Ajamu X, Niki de Saint Phalle, General Idea, David Hockney, Maggie Hambling, Pearl Alcock, Keith Vaughan, Matthew Bamber, Sarah-Joy Ford, Wolfgang Tillmans, Chester Tenneson, and Jez Dolan. The project sets out to interrogate language, histories, and narratives within the Whitworth’s practice and collections. More specifically, the project and exhibition seek to redress historic omissions that have existed as a result of heteronormative museum practice.

Arrive by 12.45pm for a 1pm start. Meet at the main entrance to the building near the gift shop, on the ground floor.

Main image: Detail from Ajamu X, Bud Kim, 2018, Giclée print, Collection of the artist, Ajamu X

Alongside the tour there will be an introduction to the work of Manchester-based artist Jez Dolan, including details of how to get involved with his new commission for Recovery Month (September 2023).

As part of September 2023 International Recovery Month, Portraits of Recovery are commissioning artist Jez Dolan to work with members of Sober Gay Socials to explore ideas and barriers to alternative Queer sober, social provision for LGBT+ people in recovery from substance use. The collaboratively produced outcome will be presented at the Whitworth Gallery this September. Attendees to this event will have the opportunity to meet the artist and get involved.

Jez Dolan's work underlines the intersections between queerness, sexuality, identity and memory. He works across multiple platforms including drawing, performance, printmaking and most recently painting. Dolan’s work is held in a number of public and private collections including: the British Museum, Bury Art Museum, the (UK) Government Art Collection, the Leslie Lohman Museum NYC, the Schwules* Museum Berlin, the Walker Art Gallery Liverpool and others. He is also artistic director of Initiative Arts, a Manchester-based company presenting work across the visual and performing arts made by artists who identify as Queer.

This Recoverist Culture Fix event is part of Portraits of Recovery's commitment to increasing access and engagement with the arts for people and communities in recovery. As part of our new programme, Recoverist Culture Fix members will be regularly invited to free or low cost visits to exhibitions, shows, performances and film screenings in Greater Manchester. If you want to hear about similar future events, sign up to be part of our member database (and select Recoverist Culture Fix as an interest in the drop down menu).