Together we get sht done.

After the hectic night that was my debut solo exhibition launch on the 7th of September at SOL Gallery, with support from Pride Foundation Australia, I have taken a couple of days off, hence why this post is a few days past the original schedule (and if you read my blog posts, you know how much I love my schedule!).

SOL has advised that over 500 people attended the gallery over the nine days, and together with seeing so many new faces there, plus the amount of people who have been discussing my series “The Reclamation of Terra” on socials, I consider this to be a huge success and am super grateful. My series needs people. It needs your passion as much as it needs mine, so I am thankful you see the work that I have put in, the heart that is in every palette stroke, and the desire to unify community and heal the planet.

A lot of people have raved about the Acknowledgement of Country that my dear friend and MC Bayley Turner made on the 7th, so I have added it here. You have also remarked that my speech was full of passion and action, and I know it has prodded a few of your inspiration buttons (consensually, of course). You will find that here. You can also see/hear the speech on my YouTube channel. For audio descriptions of all the pieces, including the Look Book, please head to my Soundcloud.

So, what is next for me and for this series? Those of you who have bought a painting or inquired about pieces know that certain pieces will be touring and that there will be a gala exhibition opening in January 2024. Whilst the details are under wraps whilst the Midsumma embargo remains, I can tell you that the night will champion rainbow performers, highlighting the great strength of the LGBTQIA+SB community.

However, to bring my vision to actuation, I need community and ally support. If you or your business (or you know a business who) is passionate about a sustainable planet and about community unity, then please support this project via my Australian Cultural Fund fundraising page. This absolutely includes allies. Whilst the might of the rainbow movement is fierce, we cannot do this without the support of our allies. No amount is too small, and certainly, no amount is too large!

I have incredible performers from many nationalities representing a cross-section of our diverse community lined up and I want to pay them what they are worth. I would like Auslan interpreters, all written material interpreted into Braille, and official Welcome to Country, all so that this gala can be as accessible and open to everyone as possible.

Due to the heritage listed status of the Victorian Artists Society, frames and hanging materials need to be purchased. Because I believe all art should be attainable and reasonably priced, my pieces are valued accordingly, however, I will also be professionally printing each landscape photograph as a limited run of eleven at A2 size on 310gsm rag to offer an even more affordable option to own a piece of this important series. The fabulous Thirds Fine Art Printing in Brunswick have generously agreed to offer sponsorship, however as they are a small independent local business, there is still a sum to pay for their amazing service and time.

I have an amazing event photographer and videographer lined up to capture the spectacle and they both must be paid their worth too. The event photographer recently worked for the Melbourne International Film Festival, and the videographer, who will be interviewing attendees on the night (with your permission of course), has recently worked for the Indian Film Festival.

Because I am nearing my fifties, I am of a mindset that you cannot have a gala without food and beverages. I will be approaching dal Catering in Geelong to supply the catering as they train students with disabilities in the hospitality industry so that they are employable after completing school, an amazing ethos. Because of how sensational they are, I will not be asking for a discount on supplies. Whilst I am all about the hustle and have been talking behind the scenes to Victorian beverage companies, I am still to lock in a sponsorship, so must raise funds for a proper “knees-up”.

Let me make this perfectly clear: I am not paying myself for this project, unless I obtain a large grant, and only once I have paid everyone what they are worth. I am extremely passionate about this project and its aims that I am even putting my own savings into this gala. My belief is that the bigger I can make this gala, the more people will talk about it, therefore the more people will come and see and read what it is I am trying to achieve. Please help me reach my target because we all need this. We all need a sustainable planet. We all need community.

My question(s) for this blog is this: what price are you willing to pay to save the world? At what cost are you being silent? Will you be a leader and join me on this journey?

Image credit: Bhavin Mettanant, @rindexfinger

T.Leigh

Teague Leigh at his debut solo exhibition, Sol Gallery in Fitzroy, 7th of September, 2023. Image credit by Bhavin Mettanant, @rindexfinger