Queer Contact 2011

Category: Art, Photography, Theatre.

Queer Contact 2011 kicked off Contact Theatre’s Spring Season with a celebration of Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans History Month. At the beginning of his year-long residency with Contact, Manchester based artist Qasim Riza Shaheen’s exhibition Prodigal Son showcases impressive examples of photographic, film and performance work, alongside the work of young people currently participating in his workshop programme.

Qasim’s collaboration with young members of the LGBT community is currently on display in the Contact Lounge, featuring shorts films, emotive performances, and intimate photographs detailing thoughts and responses to issues of identity and belonging in the young LGBT community. The Queer Contact Launch evening also comprised some short yet insightful poetic and prose readings from two of the members from Qasim’s workshop, which, accompanied by a young harpist lent an air of warmth and inclusivity to the evening’s festivities.

Throughout the rest of the theatre, the Qasim’s own exhibition Prodigal Son, is displayed featuring a series of stunning photographic images in which the artist explores notions of beautification and sexuality. As the residency progresses look out for short films and intimate performances which will begin to inhabit every space in the building.

Qasim’s work has been shown across the world including the Liverpool Biennial, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Council’s showcases of Live Art in Denmark, Spain and Belgium, and at Alhamra National Gallery and RohtasGallery, Pakistan.

His recent works have included commissions for Queer Up North International Festival, Brighton International Festival 2010 and most recently at Gallery Oldham with his exhibition Nine Acts of Reciprocity.

Qasim is currently an associate artist at the greenroom in Manchester, and is an advocate of northern-based arts and artists.

Feature by Roisin McLoughlin. Roisin is a freelance writer based in South Manchester and currently working at Cornerhouse. Recent work includes press releases and publications for The Bruntwood Awards for Arts & Business North.

See below for a list of events taking place at Contact this Spring.