Jamie Spillett

Artist's Statement

As people, we situate ourselves culturally and socially through identities similar to ours in the media. Seen as the ‘other’, queer identities are consistently pitched as targets for violence, political flashpoints and medical anomalies. This directly impacts the self-perception and -esteem of queer people, especially those who are young or unsure in their identities.

Capturing moments of euphoria, tenderness and comradery between queer people, my photography documents the re-emerging LGBT nightlife scene in Edinburgh. Images of hand holding, embrace, dancing and free expression create a counter-narrative that paints queer lived experience in a more true-to-life fashion.

Installing these images interspersed with cuttings from newspapers, photos of graffiti, and other media examples, I highlight the tension felt by queer people between their lived experience and its portrayal in public discourse.

Using masking tape to install work allows me to easily change its configuration, while also eschewing the grandeur that comes with glossy prints and seamless hanging.  As different images find themselves adjacent each time the work is hung, meaning arises not through individual pieces, but how they interact, with each iteration introducing new narratives.