LEIGH Bowery's shocking attire made him unforgettable. Like or loathe him you can not ignore his presence or provocation. He was and still is a work of art. Bold, subversive and unapologetic. Queer indeed.
A Hero for promoting visibility and confidence for trans women. Helping them to become who they feel they really are. She does this in many practical ways as well as her fantastical performance art. Grace is Style Director at Born, a company in Manchester providing tuition in feminisation subjects while in a safe and compassionate place. The mantra at Born is ‘Turning Heads, Turning Minds’ “Before anything can change in our society, trans people need to be visible and we need to be proud.” I have taken the theme of visibleness as my inspiration for my artwork. The almost invisible emerging girl being uplifted by Grace.
Personal hero since early adulthood. He is a committed human rights and social justice campaigner, who for me exemplifies active compassion with disregard for the self.
Rainbow Bird by Linda Spiteri
Boy George by John Klerk
Francis Bacon became a hero of mine after I fell in love with his art as a young man. He produced perfect paintings that I connected with without really understanding them. Seeing him in interviews being unapologetically homosexual was a revelation at the time. He was an exciting, vibrant person. The type of person I still aspire to be.
Dusty Springfield by M A King - "She was possibly the greatest British soul voice of her generation and constrained to hide her sexuality. As a “son of a preacher man”, I adored her singing. However, she was plagued by inner demons, being diagnosed “bi polar”. As a mental health worker, I have had the honour to be friends with so many wonderful and talented people."
The Happy Valley Pride Art Exhibition presents contributions from local and national artists’ interpretations of the LGBTQ heroes that have inspired them for their contribution to LGBTQ/civil rights and causes.
Artwork is on display at Nelsons Wine Bar in Hebden Bridge until 6 September and all artists have generously donated a percentage of the sale price to the Happy Valley Pride fund.
The exhibition also includes all 9 of our LGBT Festival Heroes designed and signed by Emma Charleston as A4 sized giclee printed and framed at just £40.
Please do visit to see the full range of fabulous works ranging from £40 to £300