Life in Colour

Life in Colour – LGBTQ+ Art Prize & Virtual Exhibition

ACON, as an LGBTQ+ peer-based organisation, and our event partners, The City of Newcastle and Awabakal Ltd, understand that many people of diverse sexualities and genders live joyful and fulfilling lives. However, we also know that LGBTQ+ communities experience exclusion, discrimination, and poorer social and health outcomes at higher rates than many other populations. Social exclusion and erasure of the LGBTQ+ perspective are two significant factors that lead to poorer mental health and wellbeing. As part of our commitment to address this inequity, we partnered to create the first of what we hope will be many future Life in Colour art prizes and exhibitions.

In May 2022, we were pleased to provide an opportunity for creative LGBTQ+ people who live, work, or play in Newcastle NSW, to participate in Life in Colour. It was planned to coincide with IDAHOBIT day (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia), and it provided an important platform for creative LGBTQ+ people to express their stories through their artwork and be included in the vibrant Newcastle social and arts scene. We were excited to see such a positive community response with over 21 entries.

We thank all the artists who participated in Life in Colour, and we hope you enjoy the artworks and the diverse lived experiences they represent as much as we do.

  • LGBTQ+ Artists – Category A (Experienced/Established Artists) – An artist who has attained one or more of the following: (1) a solo exhibition in a commercial or public/regional gallery, (2) holds a formal contract with a commercial gallery offering professional representation, (3) winner of a major art prize or residency.)
  • LGBTQ+ Artists – Category B (Emerging/Beginner Artists) – An artist or other person with a creative interest in visual arts, who has not: (1) had a solo exhibition in a commercial or public/regional gallery, (2) had a formal contract with a commercial gallery offering professional representation, (3) won of a major art prize or residency.)
  • LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Artists

 

 

Exhibition Theme
Submitted artworks reflected the artists’ lived experience, or commentary, of life as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Submission Categories
LGBTQ+ Artists – Category A (Experienced/Established)
LGBTQ+ Artists – Category B (Emerging/Beginner)
Frist Nations Category – LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Artists

Judging
Artworks were assessed by a panel of experienced artists applying three criteria: 1) originality, 2) alignment to the exhibition theme, and 3) skilled use of chosen medium(s).

Prizes
The winners of each category received an award of $300, runners up received $150