About
The Queer Window Art Trail has been introduced to Foyle Pride Festival (2024) in order to place emphasis on LGBTQIA+ art by local queer artists. The work will be displayed in public windows across the city's venues, giving a number of queer artists a platform to show their work publicly. Artists were welcome to submit pre-existing work as well as ideas for new & temporary installations in the windows. Displayed will be a variety of prints, textiles, ceramics and paintings. The art will be on display for the duration of Pride Week, in windows along our parade trail and its surroundings. In total, we have 11 queer artists exhibiting in 11 venues.
Many venues which are situated outside of the trail will also be hosting events during the week. All info and events can be found on Foyle Pride's programme. Physical copies are available in various venues in Derry and a digital copy can be dowloaded here: https://www.foylepride.com/docs/foyle-pride-programme-24.pdf
Involved venues and artists for the Queer Window Art Trail 2024 are as follows:
Alli McKee (he/him) x Heidi Stemp (she/her) - VisitDerry
Ava Cunningham (she/her) - Derry Designer Makers
Ciara Darcy (she/her) - Yum Cakes
Edel Makes - ForSight
Ellee Dean (she/her) - Void, Salumeria Mariuccia
Fox (he/him) - Culturlaan
Hannah Moore (they/them) - Claudes
Joey Nash (she/they) - Vine
Cahal O'Connell / Miss Mary Jane (he / him/ she /her) - Void, Vintage Star
Reaper Grimm (he/him) - CCA
The art trail has been organised by Foyle Pride's Arts Officer for 2024, Devin Kane (they/them). Devin Kane runs Derry's Visual Artists Collective along with Serena Kane (she/her), another local artist and Foyle Pride Committee member. This is a group which facilitates casual meet-ups to work amongst and chat to other artists in the city. During Pride Week, Visual Artists Collective will also be hosting a Queer Sketchbook Meet-up in Void Art Centre, one of our art trail venues.
Artist biographies:
Cahal O'Connell / Miss Mary Jane is a practising visual artist, musician and cabaret performer. Cahal O'Connell / Miss Mary Jane explores the intersection of identity, gender, sexuality, and visual iconography. Utilising a secondary lens based medium for visual communication, the artist captures a primary practice rooted in performance. At the core of Cahal O'Connell / Miss Mary Jane's artistic practice is a deep connection to sexual expression and the utilisation of drag as an art form, which serves as a constant source of creative expression for the artist. As a female presenting drag performer and a gay man, Cahal O'Connell / Miss Mary Jane is fascinated by the complexities that exist within contemporary society regarding sexual expression and identity.
Ellee Dean (she/her) is a textile designer, whose passion lies in print design, particularly in the digital exploration of provocative themes with a dark and vibrant colour palette. Ellee's goal is to create edgy collections that reflect my identity, not only as a designer but as a person. The artist constantly pushes the boundaries of fashion and textile design, aiming to inspire others to explore their creativity. Beginning with drawings, Ellee digitally develops compositions, colours, and defining elements for her prints, with finalising designs printed digitally. She has finally created a unique style and theme that embodies boldness and edginess.
