London's New Queer Cultural Spaces Face Scrutiny Over Corporate Influence and Institutionalization
During Pride 2022, which celebrated its 50th anniversary after two years of being canceled, London welcomed two new cultural spaces dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. Queer Britain, the UK’s inaugural national LGBTQ+ museum, is housed in a building from the 1850s on Granary Square. It features the exhibition 'Welcome to Queer Britain,' showcasing works by Alia Romagnoli, Kuba Ryniewicz, Bex Day, and Robert Taylor, co-commissioned by Levi's. Additionally, 'Capturing the Rainbow' displays archival photographs from the 1870s, courtesy of Getty Images and M&C Saatchi. Meanwhile, Queercircle, located in Greenwich Peninsula's Design District, emphasizes LGBTQ+ arts and social change, presenting exhibitions by Michaela Yearwood-Dan and 'The Queens' Jubilee!' co-curated with Stuart Feather. The article questions the effectiveness of museums in advancing queer liberation.
Key facts
- Queer Britain opened as the UK's first national LGBTQ+ museum in King's Cross, London
- Queercircle opened in Greenwich Peninsula as a new LGBTQ+ arts and culture space
- Both openings coincided with Pride London 2022, marking the event's 50th anniversary
- Queer Britain's exhibitions include corporate partnerships with Levi's and M&C Saatchi
- Queercircle's inaugural exhibitions feature work by Michaela Yearwood-Dan and archival material co-curated by Stuart Feather
- The article critiques the 'museumification' of queerness and loss of gay bars in London
- Queer Britain's building is owned by Art Fund and dates to the 1850s
- Queercircle operates with a five-year lease supported by the Greater London Authority and private donations
Entities
Artists
- Alia Romagnoli
- Kuba Ryniewicz
- Bex Day
- Robert Taylor
- Michaela Yearwood-Dan
- Stuart Feather
- David Kohn
- Margaret Thatcher
- Princess Diana
- Roderick Ferguson
Institutions
- Queer Britain
- Queercircle
- Art Fund
- Levi's
- Getty Images
- M&C Saatchi
- Greater London Authority
- Outset Contemporary Art Fund
- Gay Liberation Front
- Knight Dragon
- Design District
- Bow Street Magistrates' Court
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- King's Cross
- Granary Square
- Greenwich Peninsula
- Soho
- Brazil
- Hong Kong