Cathy's Art Diary

Small exhibition at the National Theatre of photographs documenting Queer life in Britain. The works are on loan from Queer Britain to mark the theatre’s production of “Pride” which incidentally I saw a few days earlier and loved.   I managed to see the exhibition on the day of London Pride by chance so it had an extra poignance. I loved this picture of Ian McKellan and Michael Cashman leading a Pride march and this portrait of the out footballer, Justin Fashanu. Closes September 2026

Disappointingly small exhibition at Queer Britain on the singer Jimmy Somerville and his role as an activist while in Bronski Beat. The show was well done and made good use of archive material and loans and gifts from Somerville. I only say disappointing as I’d have liked more and possibly to see the show move into the Communard years. It was however a good excuse to go to this newish   museum looking at the history of LBGT+ lives and activism. Great to see one of Duncan Grant’s erotic drawings included. I knew the space when it was previously the House of Illustration and it would be nice to see this museum expand into the large gallery beyond the shop in the future which might give more scope for exhibitions. Closed 25 May 2025