Youth affairs

Spearing human figures with needles seems an unusual way to get your voice heard. But such is the strategy of young artist Jake Driscoll.

His sculptures, of human forms trapped in resin, will be among the works on show at Evolve, an exhibition for young queer artists scheduled for Pride Week this year.

Some [of the sculptures] have needles stuck into them to show the oppression of society and feeling trapped, Evolve organiser Ed Ng said of Driscoll’s work.

Established by youth group Velocity, Evolve is an attempt to boost the profile of up-and-coming artists and help out queer youth in the process.

The artworks are on sale. That is a way to get the artists known to the public and to have their work possibly sold, Ng said of works that will include painting, drawing and digital images.

We’re also raising money to hold future events for young people and for the community.

Making its debut this year alongside Evolve will be youth market day How Bazaar? -“ complete with stalls devoted to jewellery, music and crafts.

Even though Evolve did promote young people’s talents in the arts, I also noticed that there were skilled craftspeople, Ng said of the motivation for the market day.

Continuing the Pride Week youth theme, the Riot ’69 Dance Party is a fundraiser at Stonewall for youth group Twenty10. Out In Belmore, meanwhile, is an informal get-together at the Belmore Community Youth Centre.

And young people hoping to get a sense of community history might consider A Step Back In Time, a self-guided exhibition along Oxford Street that takes in costumes, props and photography.

Pride Week 2005 runs from 11 to 26 June. Evolve runs from 14 to 18 June at Pine Street Creative Arts Centre, 64 Pine St, Chippendale, and the How Bazaar? market day is on 18 June at the same venue. The Riot ’69 Dance Party is on 18 June, Out In Belmore is on 13 June and A Step Back In Time runs from 11 June to 26 June. For full details visit
www.pridecentre.com.au