Culture consultant Isabel Collins' wonderful article about CorporateQueer at Guildhall
Photo: Isabel Collins - Fiona Freund & designer Lise Meyrick match their brand colours against the exhibition boards in the evening sunshine.
What a pleasure to see Fiona Freund's joyous #CorporateQueer exhibition - vibrant photographs of LGBTQ+ people taking #pride and #thriving in all aspects of corporate life.
From solicitors to security, cleaners to clergy, MPs to Lords, Fiona has curated a vivid collection of both #Individuality and #Belonging. Like her previous exhibition - #MotherWorks - the pun in the title drives home the power of the tribe. Not only an image of corporate working, this exhibition is a representation of the body corporate of the Queer community, in its endless #diversity.
Each image captures the subject as a whole individual while belonging in their work, illuminated with their short story alongside. Fiona's endless creativity finds an original way for each to show the context of their world. Her photographs are faultless, beaming with life and warmth, the vitality of these lives palpable from the boards. Deceptively simple design provides focus for each vignette, coming together to shape a message overall. Added treat yesterday evening of chatting with some of the subjects of the photos, on what being part of this exhibition means to them:
"I dream of a world free from hate, prejudice and discrimination - CorporateQueer really helps on this journey of acceptance and visibility"
Chris Outram:
"I can OWN it, I can walk down the street and be me, I can be out and me at work, every day - it certainly was NOT possible when I started in security. And I can be the champion for the LGBTQ+ community in my company. I could have just worn my uniform for the picture, but then I would look... NORMAL... and I'm saying that like a swear word - Hahah!"
This exhibition matters today - more than it should. Sad that in 2023, after so much progress in last 40 years, we see the pressures of homophobia still affecting the lives of LGBTQ+ communities.
Fiona shares facts and figures here:
20% of LGBT+ people still aren’t ‘out’ at work (National LGBT survey)
70% of LGBT+ people have been sexually harassed at work (TUC survey)
50% of transgender employees hide their identity for fear of discrimination at work (Survey commissioned by Stonewall)
Amidst the mood of celebration, also a note of caution from some of the veterans of LGBTQ+ campaigning.
"Our freedoms are never guaranteed. They need constant vigilance and brave defence."
Last word goes to Polly Shute, Co-Founder Out & Wild Events, who in the exhibition and book describes the feeling of first visiting Pride in London:
"I felt a real sense of belonging with people I did not know but felt connected to."
Fitting and lovely that this current exhibition is outdoors
- out with pride and colour, not closeted in a gallery, breathing free in the open-air. And with a hefty rainstorm last night, also surviving all weathers.
Hosted by City of London Corporation
And hurrahs to the Sponsors who will no doubt see a return on investment in winning the confidence of great talent to join and commit to them: Investec, Linklaters, Phoenix Group, JLL, BNY Mellon
Buy the book here from Guildhall Art Gallery bookshop
