A dialogue between: the art of Juliet Sugg and the poetry of Tracy Heather Johnson. DEVIANT is for anyone who celebrates desire in its many and varied.
Opening night: 2nd September
There will be additional events programmed to coincide with this exhibition on Wednesday 4th September (doors: 7pm) and Thursday 5th September (doors: 7pm)
Exhibition continues Tuesday-Saturday 12-6pm
Women’s voices, especially on sex and erotica, often struggle for space in everyday discourse. Deviant places those voices front and centre, forcing the reader and viewer to confront a multiplicity of desires that unsettle and disrupt the heteronormative and largely patriarchal culture that controls discussions about who enjoys what, how and who with. Here, the monstrous woman who actively lusts, is plural, queer, a mistress, a crone, childfree by choice, and who is simply often just far too much, will be bursting out of the frame, ripe and dripping. A dialogue between the art of Juliet Sugg and the poetry of Tracy Heather Johnson, Deviant is for anyone who celebrates desire in its many and varied forms.
Tracy Heather Johnson holds a PhD in women’s writing and French feminist philosophy, and has a long-standing interest in the depiction of female sexuality, especially within the horror genre. She is a prize winning writer of short fiction, a published poet and an established non-fiction writer in topics from education to cinema. Tracy regularly reads at open mic nights and has opened for gigs with commissioned readings of her work. She coaches in the arts and creative sector and is also a founding member of the newly re-launched Erotic Review.
Juliet Sugg is multi-disciplinary artist and lecturer, specialising in themes of the monstrous feminine, gender transgression, “feminine excess” and abject bodies. She has exhibited internationally and has worked with organisations such as Whitechapel Gallery, the Southbank Centre and L’age D’or Events. She is the Course Leader of MA Illustration in Visual Media, London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. Based in London, she is particularly interested in the advocacy of female sexuality and progressive equality within the arts. She is currently pursuing a Phd which looks at reframing the Monstrous Feminine in contemporary context.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Monday 2nd September
DEVIANT - Preview Night
Explore the world of Deviant and examine the many shades of the monstrous feminine erotic created in poetry and paint by writer Tracy Heather Johnson and artist Juliet Sugg.
Our very special guests Mike Muncer and Becky Darke from The Evolution of Horror will be leading the short talks and Q&A discussing the show, the need for deviant creatives and the mutating, complex relationship of women and sex in horror films.
Doors open at 7.30pm.
Talks begin at 8.15pm.
The bar will be open. All pairs of paintings and poems will be for sale, along with the exhibition catalog, prints and other merchandise. Let us know if you have any special requirements, we can assist you with. If you would like to attend the Preview night or have any questions please RSVP thedeviantcollective@gmail.com
Wednesday 4th September
The Sewn Shut Mouth
Join the creators of Deviant: Women, Sex & the Monstrous Erotic for an insight into this thought-provoking exhibition. Writer Tracy Heather Johnson and artist Juliet Sugg will share their influences and ideas, as well as sharing the concept behind the next phase of Deviant, launching in the autumn. Includes readings of selected poems and a Q&A.
Starts at 7pm.
Admission - £5.00
Thursday 5th September
Embracing The Sirens
Join Deviant artist and lecturer Juliet Sugg for a talk as she discusses her work on the show. Exploring the fascinating, contentious relationship between horror films and ‘highbrow’ art, the evolution of the ‘monstrous feminine’, and the underrated relevance of deviance.
Starts at 7pm.
Admission - £5.00
