Ian Giles: Outhouse

Outhouse is a mobile queer space traveling across East Anglia. The transparent walls of the cylindrical structure feature photographs and ephemera related to historic and contemporary LGBTQI+ culture from the East of England. This space will also host social gatherings, talks and meetings, these are listed on the structure.

Images from LGBTQI+ communal walks, hosted earlier this year in Cambridge, Colchester, Norwich and Great Yarmouth are mixed with material from the Gay Outdoors Club archive, a national rambling group founded in 1973. Exploring queerness, Ian Giles installation blends these images with glimpses of proto gay couples from the 17th Century, queer symbolism and a rereading of landscape through an LGBTQI+ lens. The title Outhouse is inspired by Outhouse East, a Colchester charity offering support and information to LGBTQI+ people.

Pink is the Strongest Colour; a film presented within the installation, is made from found footage of which only the pink ink has not degraded. The film nods at a lack of preservation of LGBTQI+ objects and narratives. Giles points out that “historically queer lives and achievements have often gone unrecorded. This project is part of a wider invitation to correct this.”

Working in film, performance and events, Ian Giles’ work facilitates social interactions and enables queer histories and presents to be seen and celebrated. He organised the Open Ramble East walks and Outhouse as part of the New Geographies commissions.

www.iangiles.co.uk

This exhibition is part of New Geographies, a three year project remapping the East of England based on local reflections and stories of unexplored or overlooked places.

www.newgeographies.uk/artist/ian-giles

There is a drop in event as part of this exhibition, in association with Colchester and Ipswich Museums:

Adorn: Jewellery and Identity
Come and learn about how objects have played a huge part in expressing identity and gender throughout history.
Find out more