QRAVE: The Exhibition

Image: by Storm Bloom

"An agitation, scratching at the surface of queer histories."

"QRAVE: The exhibition" unsettles colonial and binary power structures, exposing fault lines in a poised, clear-eyed exploration of queer histories that populate the Birrarung and City of Yarra.

Throughout 2024, journalist, artiste and storyteller Jessi Ryan engaged in research centred upon identifying queer histories from the City Of Yarra. QRAVE: The Exhibition presents these eight histories, from the early days of Gay Liberation in the 1970s to the many ways tragedy struck amid Melbourne lockdowns.

Visitors can use personal devices to scan eight QR Codes which unlock a series of interviews relating to these histories, told by people who were there.

Graphic murals adorn the walls of the exhibition space, painted by Ryan in just three days, and inspired by Keith Haring, whose story of painting murals in Collingwood in 1984 also features among these histories.

Creating an exhibition which champions our communities' continued growth and challenges, has involved months of planning, research and interviews. The words you see on the exhibition walls will soon disappear: the emphasis here is on the spoken word, the interviews, and questioning how the written word seeks to contain, whereas the spoken word is there to yell, to rebelliously protest and to challenge, refusing to be silenced.

QRAVE will transform the Convent’s STORE into an intimate space where truth is told under the nightlife beats. Passionately recounted and moving stories will blur the boundaries between embodied performance and graphic installation, holding space for intimate reflection and new connections.

As a journalist, Ryan most recently has been published by Crikey and ArtsHub. QRAVE, in both its exhibition and performance, draws upon their extensive history of published articles and interviews.

Immerse yourself in this ‘whole gallery’ experience and discover these histories via QR codes scanned and unlocked on your personal device.

"Artistic Firebrand"
— The Age

Partners

Event & ticketing details

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Vision Rating less than 50%

Dates & Times

WHEN 29 Jan-1 Feb, 4-8 Feb | Tue-Sat 12pm-8pm
DURATION 8hrs

Tickets

FREE

Location

Abbotsford Convent — The Store

1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford

Get directions

Train

Hurstbridge/Mernda line to Victoria Park

Bus

200, 207 to Clarke/Johnston St

Event notes

INFO

Premiere, New Work, Melbourne Premiere, Australian Premiere

WARNINGS

Themes of a sexual nature, Depictions of violence, Strong language, References to drug use, References to suicide and/or self-harm, Mature themes
Principal Partners