Out of Print: Alek Bèlanger | Pride Affiliate Event | Feature Gallery Exhibition

Join us for the Opening Reception of Alek Bélanger's Feature Gallery Exhibition, Out of Print, on Friday May 9th, from 5-8 PM

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Artist Alek Bélanger’s new series delves into gay liberation newspapers from the 1960s to the 1980s, translating these important historical documents onto large-format canvases. Incorporating mixed media and self-portraits, Bélanger’s work highlights how these newspapers were more than just sources of information, they were lifelines for small queer communities, capturing political events, activism, and the solidarity spaces where individuals found refuge in a world that often sought to erase them.

Despite widespread suppression, these papers preserved both the struggles and the strength of LGBTQ+ communities, balancing harrowing accounts of violence with moments of joy, humour, and unity.

Through the integration of self-portraiture, Bélanger’s series connects past and present, confronting this pivotal history while reinforcing the ongoing need for community, safe spaces, and equality. 

This series delves into a potent and direct exploration, utilizing gay conversion therapy books as a canvas for transformative poetry. Defiantly asserting queerness as an innate and powerful gift, the project sheds light on the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through harmful words during moments of weakness. The artist transforms negativity into uplifting poetry, reclaiming power and showcasing the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Beyond victimhood, the artwork transcends adversity, offering a glimpse of greatness and inspiring positive change. Rooted in the artist's experience of growing up amid homophobia, the act of turning hatred into art becomes a deep statement for both the creator and the audience. The burnt wood in the project symbolizes the harm caused by hurtful words, serving as a testament to the enduring resilience of queerness.

Despite adversity, the LGBTQIA+ community remains strong, standing firm in the face of challenges. The awareness raised by the project empowers growth and wisdom, declaring that through resilience, collective strength prevails over any adversity.