MAY 7 - 17 THE PANSY PROJECT in OTTAWA

Paul Harfleet plants pansies at the site of homophobic abuse; he finds the nearest source of soil to where the incident occurred and generally without civic permission plants one unmarked pansy. The flower is then photographed in its location and posted on this website, the image is entitled after the abuse. Titles like "Let's kill the Bati-Man!" and "Fucking Faggot!" reveal a frequent reality of gay experience, which often goes unreported to authorities and by the media. This simple action operates as a gesture of quiet resistance; some pansies flourish and others wilt in urban hedgerows. The artist began by planting pansies to mark his own experience of homophobia on the streets of Manchester now he plants pansies for others both on an individual basis and as part of various festivals and events. Photos of pansies Paul Harfleet ©.

 London based, Paul Harfleet is an artist, writer and designer. he has been planting pansies at sites of homophobia since 2005. He has visited cities across the U.K. and throughout Europe, to date he has planted almost 300 individual pansies at sites of homophobia. his photographs have been exhibited internationally from Berlin, Paris, London and Manchester, where Harfleet devised the project. Paul speaks frequently about The Pansy Project and recently spoke at the Museum Of Liverpool, Southbank Centre and The Lush Summit. In 2015  a documentary about The Pansy Project; 'Les Pensées De Paul', was commisioned by CANAL+. More on where The Pansy Project has featured here.

SUMMER CAMP: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF LGBTQ2+ ARTISTS IN CANADA

SPAO Centre - School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa

Opening Reception: 10 May 2019 from 6 pm to 9 pm; remarks at 7:30pm
On-View: May 10 - July 1, 2019

On May 10, 2019, from 6 pm to 9 pm, join us at the SPAO Centre - School of the Photographic Arts: Ottawa for the opening reception of the 2019 CANADIANA exhibition, Summer Camp. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada, the exhibition features lens-based artworks produced over the last five decades by LGBTQ2+ artists from across the country. The exhibition is co-curated by SPAO Gallery Manager Michael Davidge and Creative Director Jonathan Hobin in consultation with a wide range of Canadian curators and artists.

Hobin states, “The incredible input we got from across Canada guided us as we put together this amazing showcase of established artists like Kent Monkman and Evergon as well as emerging artists like Dayna Danger and B.G-Osborne.” Highlighting camp as both a sensibility and a site in the Canadian landscape, the exhibition also features works by Steven Beckly, David Buchan, Colin Campbell, Shawna Dempsey & Lorri Millan, Michelle Mohabeer, and Paul Wong. A text by art writer and curator Daniella Sanader accompanies the exhibition.