‘In the early days it was very risqué to go out on the street dressed up in outrageous costumes, and Mardi Gras gave us the opportunity to do that... Having a crowd of people all dressed up gave us the courage, whereas we wouldn’t have done it on our own.’
Absolutely Queer is an exhibition celebrating contemporary queer creativity for Sydney WorldPride 2023.
It showcases Sydney’s leading queer creatives who are reshaping attitudes towards their community through their work, creative processes and personal stories, and features costumes, design, artworks, fashion, activism and multimedia.
From installation and performance artists to videogame developers, cartoonists and fashion designers, these creatives form a diverse snapshot of LGBTQIA+ creativity and activism in Sydney.
Exhibition
Powerhouse Late: Queerbourhood, the official opening of the Absolutely Queer exhibition, celebrated the LGBTQIA+ artists in the exhibition and their communities.
Taking over the iconic Powerhouse Transport Hall, the event featured live performances, talks, tours and workshops hosted by some of Sydney’s legendary LGBTQIA+ creatives and was curated by Jonny Seymour and Paul Mac, who have been supporting Sydney’s emerging queer artists for decades.
Powerhouse Lates
Powerhouse Lates
Collaborators
Maurice Goldberg and Matthew Aberline of The Beautiful and Useful Studio
Dennis Golding
Justin Shoulder
Norrie
Sexy Galexy
Renè Rivas
Nikita Majajas of Doodad + Fandango
DJ Charlie Villas
Nicol & Ford
Scott Ford and Peter Foley of Fuzzy Ghost
Acknowledging our pioneering Mardi Gras creatives, the exhibition includes costumes featured in the 1996 Powerhouse exhibition Absolutely Mardi Gras, including work by Brenton Heath-Kerr, Ron Muncaster, Brian Ross and Peter Tully.
Jonny Seymour
Paul Mac
Powerhouse Collection
Object No. 96/305/2
'Cotton Blossom' costume by Ron Muncaster
Object No. 95/172/1
Mardi Gras costume by Peter Tully
Object No. 94/174/1
'Lobster Mornay' costume by Brian Ross
Object No. 97/175/1
'Betty Page' laminated cardboard performance costume
Object No. 94/111/3-13
Pencil sketch of 'Tom' by Brenton Heath-Kerr
Absolutely Queer x Powerhouse
Shop
Details
Entry
Free entry, no bookings required
Suitable for all ages
Daily 10am–5pm
Thursday 5–9pm
Accessibility
We encourage visitors with accessibility requirements to contact us via book@powerhouse.com.au or (02) 9217 0222 for help in planning your visit. We accept Companion Cards.
Schools and Groups
Arrange your visit with us below. For questions please contact our bookings team on (02) 9217 0222 or book@powerhouse.com.au
Large Print Guide
Request a copy of the large print guide upon arrival, or print it out before you arrive.