THE opening of an innovative exhibition at The Bowes Museum was marked by the visit of a drag collective.
#Untitled10 2019 features work by ten artists from across the North, including drag king Lady Kitt.
Joining Kitt, from Bishop Auckland, for the launch of the exhibition were members of the Newcastle-based DGA collective, who mingled with visitors and staged a number of dance and movement performances in the museum’s picture galleries throughout the day.
King Eric, a member of the collective, said: “We are here to interact with visitors in our own unique way.
“We are a nice, friendly bunch and will be chatting to people, breaking down those barriers and stereotypes about what drag and queer is.
“A lot of people don’t know how to talk to us, but we are normal, just like you.”
Lady Kitt’s piece for the #Untitled10 exhibition was inspired by the museum’s sculpture of Sappho, the archaic Greek poet.
“I have created a paper chain of Sapphos representing ways in which Sappho has been depicted throughout history.
“She has been worshipped and vilified, but we don’t really know anything about her. There is nothing contemporary about her.”
An open call was made to artists to bid for one of ten commissions for #Untitled10 2019.
They were challenged to come up with a new piece of work inspired by The Bowes Museum, its founders John and Josephine, the grounds or the surrounding area.
Organised by The Bowes Centre for Art, Craft and Design, it is a follow up to last year’s inaugural #Untitled10 exhibition, after it was judged a success.
Matthew Read, director of The Bowes Centre, said this year’s display offered something for everyone, from robotics and ceramics to textiles and craft making.
Rather than being shown together, the pieces are
dotted throughout the museum.
The exhibition continues until February 28, next year, during which time Mr Read said the aim was to attract 2,000 people to the museum who had not visited before.
