Displays of Affection

Video: still photography by Ede Blackman from the opening night event of Displays of Affection by Luke George, Temperance Hall, April 2021.  

Obsessed with rope as a medium to explore tensions and connectivity, artist Luke George has designed and handcrafted a stunning garment that binds itself to a person, and people to each other. The function and craft of macramé intersects with the aesthetics and dynamics of rope bondage. A kind of hard-soft.

Exploring the potential for different types of masculinities through the qualities of beauty, intimacy, connection and care, this hybrid exhibition of installation and photography spotlights an haute couture rope bondage gown, worthy of any Met Gala red carpet.

Explore the exhibition of Luke's newest installation piece in Temperance Hall's gallery space, or join the Opening Night via our online event - Wednesday 28 April, Auslan interpreted (online) - please register here.

For the Displays of Affection series, the attention is focused on the perspective of the sub/ject (‘bottom’) and their gaze back at the viewer. Luke’s role and responsibility as artist (‘Rigger’), is to collaborate with his sub/ject, supporting and sustaining them, seeing to their needs and desires, as well as his own.

Third in the series, Luke has previously created two installation pieces for the Company of Men Exhibitions - a macramé sex-sling (Tacit Galleries Collingwood, Midsumma Festival 2018) in which the gallery spectator can climb in and comfortably spend time. And, an un-potted plant, tied and suspended in rope bondage (Club80 Collingwood, Midsumma Festival 2020).

A highly awarded and commissioned artist (2019 Venice Biennale, 2019 Dance Massive, 2019 Australia Council Fellow, 2020 Green Rooms Award), Luke George creates new performance and visual work that engages daring and at times, unorthodox methods to examine the dynamics of intimacy and collectivity, creating ‘safe spaces’ that allow for care as well as risk. Luke’s sensitivity towards the positions of alterity is informed by queer politics. His artistic practice takes an intersectional approach, whereby people are neither singular nor isolated; bodies of difference can intersect, practice mutual listening, take responsibility for themselves and one another.

Winner of the Project Claude Visual Art  Award (Company of Men Exhibition, Midsumma 2018)

Exhibition details: 
Wednesday 28 April, 5:00pm - 7:00pm *OPENING NIGHT EVENT
Thursday 29 April, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday 30 April, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday 1 May, 11:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 2 May, 11:00am - 5:00pm

Venue:
Temperance Hall (Gallery)
199 Napier Street, South Melbourne

NOTE: Please note that this exhibition is located in the gallery space located on the first floor and is only accessible via stairs.  

Exhibition price:
FREE

*OPENING NIGHT EVENT at the Gallery: Wednesday 28th April, 5pm-7pm. The event is free and all are welcome. Please join us IRL or online to enjoy discussions and performances by the following artists to celebrate the opening of this exhibition. 

Artist: Luke George
Model/Muse: Mark Binette
DJ:  Goat Spokesperson (Phillip Soliman)
Hosts/Performer: Daddy Mike from the House of Dévine (vogue artist, Mike Nguyen)
Zoom host: Bec Reid (All The Queen's Men)
Auslan interpreter: Neil Phipps.

There will also be a Zoom event for folks who are unable to be at the Gallery in person or require alternative access. Wednesday 28th April, 5pm-6pm (Auslan interpreted) and please register on the link below.

This is a COVIDSafe event that has been registered with the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions (DJPR). To view the safety checklist for Displays of Affection please click on the button below:

Photograph: courtesy of Luke George

Displays of Affection is presented by Temperance Hall and generously supported by the City of Port Phillip Local Festivals Fund and The Victorian State Government. The digital exhibition and launch event are supported by the Department of Premier and Cabinet Pride Events and Festivals Fund as part of Midsumma Festival 2021.

Temperance Hal acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land in which we dance and create, the Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to Elders both past and present and, through them, to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.