Pride And Prejudice

Lesbian art collective PulseArt was formed in 1999 and while only one of the original artists remain in the group, their objective remains;

“We wanted to have a way of expressing our identity without constantly arguing for it. This wasn’t an intentional political act although we are very aware that ‘the personal is political’, nor was it a deliberate act of separatism, but rather a desire to exhibit together in a comfortable and safe space. We wanted greater lesbian visibility.

Our reason for being a lesbian group remains the same; identity is important to us. Some labels are more acceptable than others. Identity politics is now seen as anachronistic. Our desire to maintain it in our current climate of equality has often been seen as unnecessary when we’ve achieved so much. We feel strongly that without asserting our identity we will disappear.

Labels exist. As lesbians we exist. Our art is an important vehicle for claiming who we are – for labelling ourselves ‘lesbian’. It speaks out for us”. PulseArt 2018

They chose the group’s name PulseArt (finger on the pulse) as it referred to their intent to address historical and current issues vital to our lesbian community.

Current PulseArt artists are Fran Marno, Beth Hudson, Sue Marshall, and Cath Head.

Their latest exhibition Potpourri is in Devonport, Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence St, from October 6 to 24. Potpourri is part of Auckland Art Week.

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PulseArt: Potpourri

OPENING EVENT // ALL WELCOME: Saturday 6 October 2-4pm
EXHIBITION, EVENTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, TALKS, FINISSAGE 6-24 October

See Depot Artspace for events, talks, demonstrations and finissage during Potpourri
https://www.facebook.com/pg/DepotArtspace/events/

Potpourri is part of Artweek Auckland #ArtweekAKL
http://www.depotartspace.co.nz/event/pulseart-potpourri/

Fran Marno, Beth Hudson, Sue Marshall and Cath Head are the PulseArt Collective.

"We engage with the past and equally re-establish our place in the present. Labels exist, we exist. Our art is an important vehicle for claiming who we are - for labeling ourselves lesbian. It speaks out for us."

Potpourri for us is multidimensional. It collects and combines our diverse arrangements, colours, fragrances, historical herstories, and current issues. It is a theme that echoes the alternative ways we each view, create and combine our positions and art within our own community and the wider, heteronormative world.

We bring together a medley of paintings, drawings and collages and sculptures; a patchwork of our separate and shared experiences; collecting these together results in a potpourri of visual narrative.

Fran explores the pockets of abundance of her garden, interpreting her ideas through the materiality of the paint, brushstrokes and the use of colour. Sue embraces classical and mythical women’s images changing symbols and forms to connect with her Māori and European heritage. Past and future are important, as is preserving the moment. She also celebrates “Takatapui”, or those who don’t fit into the heterosexual model. Beth’s works are visual narratives. She likes to juxtapose the old with the new, people with objects, and nature to marry different eras and ambiguities into surreal human ‘landscapes’. Cath collects nostalgic and unexpected images to create collages that make humorous social comments about differing realities. She also cuts letters into stone to add to this commentary.

Depot Artspace

Depot Artspace is an open and inclusive creative community in Devonport, Auckland that encourages engagement in all art forms. Depot Artspace offers a variety of facilities, services and events that support the creative community including galleries, a professional development programme, publications and a recording studio.

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