Legendary Hyde Park pub, The Fenton, has been host to many misfits and movements throughout its history. A hub for music, activism and LGBTQ groups, the Fenton is the birthplace of our very own AGE OF THE, hosting transgressive drag nights in its upstairs room, and before that famously was a centre for Lesbian and Bi Feminist activism, Rock Against Racism, Reclaim the Night, University of Leeds LGBTQ Society and a stage for the Mekons, Gang of Four, The Sex Pistols and Sister of Mercy. As part of Visions in the Map, artist Rosie Reynolds has worked with AGE OF THE, and local LGBTQ groups to create a banner installation bringing together protest placards, Trade Union banners and the spirit of rebellion and resistance to reflect on this rich history.
Photo credit: West Yorkshire Archive Service Leeds, LC/ENG/CP, box 44, no. 3
Pride and Protest at The Fenton
Free entry
23rd September 2023, 10am – 4pm
Location: The Fenton
‘I understand fully that recognising brutality and violence is so important and incredibly central to queer history, however I want to make a positive piece of and steer away from the violence- make it celebratory’ – Rosie Reynolds, artist
Rosie’s banner has been influenced by themes from her research; the imagery of underground meshed networks and physical entanglement, safety in community, power and innovation in coming together and being together, looking out for each other and co-existing in a safe space – ‘we are here and this is ours.’
Rosie wanted to use the idea of underground movements, not as hidden or negative but making a space where it’s safe and then making it ours. ‘Underground’ meaning, independent, resistance, opposition, movement, network.
‘You see us in our stomping ground
Just know our roots are underground
A place for all the lost and found
Our history is iron-bound
Lost-and-found
A place to be, safe for you
and we have made this space ours too
Underground and proud and loud
Leatherbound
Interwound
Rooting underground and growing upwards
Rooting underground and growing loud
Underground and proud’ – Rosie Reynolds