Reimagine

About

For its seventh edition, Brighton Photo Biennial sets out to explore understandings of identity and representation - our personal and projected image - as influenced by the pervasive genre of fashion and style photography. Curated and produced by Photoworks, one of the themes investigated of the body, gender and sexuality; the subversion of social and cultural norms.

At the core of BPB16 are three major exhibition projects and one of them is ReImagine. Olivia Arthur (UK) and Bharat Sikka (India) have collaborated for the first time to explore private and public presentation of self-image in relation to the body, gender, sexuality and fantasy and working with LGBTQ+ communities in Brighton and Mumbai. Their exhibition takes place in the University of Brighton Galleries on Grand Parade from 1-30 October 2016.

Working with communities in cities with sharply contrasting politics of gender and sexuality, the photographers have collaborated with their participants to produce a new documentary project. The work they have researched and developed together revolves to a large extent around individuals who identify themselves as being part of the LGBTQ+ community and importantly, a community that represents contemporary diversity in relation to sexuality and gender.

The public and private spheres in which the photographs are set present a contrast and raise questions as to the private and public presentation of self and the influence of locale on gender and sexuality. Partners on this project include: Marlborough Pub & Theatre, Allsorts Youth project and GScene.