About LOVED…

LGBTQ people often find themselves equal parts credited and accused of igniting social change. From civil rights to gentrification, it is easy to project polemic onto such a diverse group… a group who still rankle and illuminate the darkened corners of love.

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Myths of beauty and ideas around body shape, fitness, even obesity are hotly debated in mainstream culture, some people have found acceptance in new movements, formed new alliances and set in motion new ideas, they are “LOVED”.

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Whilst we perform various versions of ourselves, beneath the surface there are shared anxieties and personal truths.

LOVED is about looking at those emotions, about finding out what we are, and exploring the inter-sectional realities of our identities.

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LOVED is a show that incorporates large format illustrations, sound installation composed score and sound design. It explores themes of masculinity, sexuality, joy, anger and non-conforming.

The sitters and interviewees have been chosen from around the world, with their only shared feature being that they in some way self identify as part of the Bear Community, a subculture of queer men that has developed mostly in the last 20 years. It is perhaps the last queer subculture to develop in the 21st Century.

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LOVED is a gallery collaboration between two artists, visual artist Charlie Hunter and sound designer and filmmaker Mike Wyeld.

The installation is an exploration of (sexual) identity. The prints show the outward signs of bear identity; the sound installation and technical elements open up the details of this (now global) community to scrutiny – the sitters and others discuss what a “bear” might be and much more.

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The Shows…and what’s next? To date, LOVED has found homes in Galleries in the United States, Estonia, Finland, The United Kingdom and Canada with more shows planned around the world.

A book detailing the images and interviews is currently being planned and executed.

Get in touch

LOVED is a collaborative art project made with the generous participation of sitters and interviewees from around the world.

If you have any questions or even a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you!