Secret Files From The Working Men's College

PROJECT SPACE SPARE ROOM / 5 to 25 February 2010

What hides behind those doors and dark spaces of the Working Men's College?

Established in 1881 and opened in 1887 this college was the precursor to RMIT University, holding classes in technical, business and arts areas. Secret Files from the Working Men's College highlights some of the talent that over time has been fostered and released from the School at Art of RMIT University. Stephen Gallagher brings together artists who reflect on gay lifestyle through the subtle inclusion of queer content into their art practice.

This exhibition is part of the Midsumma Festival's Queer City.

[Anon], Rhett D'Costa, Richard Harding, Kate Just, Nik Pantazopoulos, Spiros Panigirakis, Drew Pettifer, Jon Riethmuller, Jonas Ropponen, David Sequeira and Glenn Walls. Curated by Stephen Gallagher

Glenn Walls, Superlost, Image courtesy of the artist and John Buckley Gallery, Melbourne.

Essay

What hides behind those doors and dark spaces of the Working Men's College?

RMIT University, from its inception, has been synonymous with fostering creativity in the arts.

The Working Men's College (now RMIT University) opened its doors in 1887 and despite its name accepted both male and female students. It offered classes in the areas of business, technical skills and the arts, reflecting the philosophies of England's Working Men's College and Arts and Craft movement. The influence of the Arts and Crafts movement was further evidenced by the subjects offered at the Working Men's College - painting, drawing, photography and music. All of these courses encouraged and developed the skills of the maker.

Secret Files from the Working Men's College explores these ideals though a queer eye. There is no direct reference to the Working Men's College history. Nor is there an obvious reference to gay art in the work. It is the exploration of the existing RMIT University community - non sectarian, non political, and free from persecution and sexual discrimination. Behind the RMIT University doors is a creative environment for both male and female, queer or heterosexual.

Secret Files from the Working Men's College is in celebration of the Midsumma Festival, an exhibition that showcases a selection RMIT School of Art's queer alumni working within the mediums of printmaking, painting, photography and jewellery. It presents the nuance of gay lifestyle, primarily focusing on the individual and how their 'queerism' manifests in their artistic practice. I am privileged to present, in association with the Midsumma Festival, such a strong body of crafted art works by such confident artists.

Secret Files from the Working Men's College exposes some of the files of this historic institution. In 1887 you couldn't be openly gay. This exhibition and Midsumma are testament to the social and political change that has happened since. We are happy to brings together some of RMIT's gayest artists and release these hidden files to the public.

Stephen Gallagher