QA Public Art Commission #1

Garth Gratrix, a contemporary visual artist at the forefront of nuanced queer expression, unveils a new light commission for Queer Amusements. Set to illuminate the exterior of the Grundy Art Gallery as part of his upcoming major solo exhibition this summer titled Flamboyant Flamingos, commissioned by the Grundy Art Gallery.

Gratrix (b.1984, lives and works in Blackpool, UK) harnesses the luminescent power of neon to craft a captivating visual narrative. Through the medium of morse code, Gratrix’s neon communicates the message of being a total and utter Mummy’s Boy. Working with name-calling to transition shame into liberation. The exterior of the Grundy Art Gallery becomes a canvas, adorned with dots and dashes, inviting the public to decipher and unveil words.

As the neon pulses illuminate the night sky, Gratrix invites viewers to embark on a journey of discovery and remembrance. Through the interplay of light and language, his commission transcends mere aesthetics to become a beacon of hope, solidarity and celebration, shining from within the walls of the Grundy Art Gallery.