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Artist Deidre But-Husaim took a stand against homophobia by withdrawing her work from a competition. She spoke with Katrina Fox.
The story of Brisbane’s Anglican Church Grammar School (known as ‘Churchie’) that banned same-sex couples from bringing their partners to the formal rightly outraged many in the GLBT community. It also had a profound effect on a mother of two from Adelaide.
Artist Deidre But-Husaim had no idea of the ban when she entered her painting ‘Beauty Marks’ in the $10,000 Churchie National Emergency Art Exhibition.
“I don’t usually enter art prizes because I think the best support that an artist can receive is for their work to be purchased either by individuals or for collections,” she tells SX. “Personally I don’t like the prescriptive criteria of art prizes. This time there was no criteria for the work and I had a painting that had just come down from an exhibition, and with impending overseas travel looming, that art prize would have solved a lot of financial problems for me.”
‘Beauty Marks’ features a boy sporting a ‘boy’ tattoo, something of an irony given Churchie’s problem with homosexuality. “The actual pain of a tattoo can be a physical affirmation of a transitional point in life and the indelible images and inscriptions on the skin form a unique reflection of where we were, who we are, and where we aspire to go,” But-Husaim says in her artist statement about the piece.
The painting was en route to Brisbane when, having learned of Churchie’s formal ban via the internet, But-Husaim had it recalled.
“When I first discovered the school’s ban on same-sex couples attending formals, I thought it sad that a school would not fully support its own students in every way it could,” she explains. “I felt I had no option but to withdraw my work once I had more information on what had taken place.
I wasn’t prepared to turn a blind eye to this important issue. I will not be involved in fundraising for a school whose decisions regarding gay pupils are contrary to my beliefs. I feel strongly that alienating people, for whatever reason, is not something that is in any way constructive. I based my decision on what I felt was the right thing to do at the time – there really wasn’t any other option for me.”
When asked what she hopes to achieve by withdrawing her painting, But-Husaim has this to say: “I would like to think the students feel that they are supported. And if my taking a small stand encourages others to reflect more thoroughly on our choices then this can only be a good thing. School can be a judgmental place at the best of times. When young men and women decide to come out whilst at school they make a brave decision. Students need to know that they are supported not only academically but personally.”
‘Beauty Marks’ (boy boy) will be exhibited June 11 – July 19 as part of ‘Multiplex’ at Boutwell Draper Gallery, 82-84 George Street, Redfern. More information is at but-husaim.id.au.
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