From parties to portraits

You’ll undoubtedly know the party behind the artwork, but now a Mardi Gras exhibition is putting the spotlight on the works used in the popular Trough X events.

Produced by John Tsiavis and Nik Dimopoulos, the provocative images and multimedia featured in the exhibition look at the gay subcultures of ‘hanky codes’.

Best known as a form of communication developed in the 1970s for gay men to signal their intentions, fetishes, desires and identity to potential sexual partners, Trough X_hibition will investigate and explore the phenomenon.

Tsiavis said the vast body of work was born out of an interest in how gay men communicate and the broader social and sometimes political implications.

“Once a hanky code is decided on, we seek out reference material for inspiration,” he said.

“We do a huge amount of research, drawing influences from unexpected and crazy places.

“The most recent series was inspired by a ’60s underwear advertisement and a first aid manual. Another was based on socialist sculpture, propaganda material and iconography.”

The duo combined their experiences as art director/ graphic designer and photographer/ director to create the images that reference film, advertising, typography and art history.

Dimopoulous, who created the Trough X parties in order to offer an alternative to the “generic gay party scene”, originally teamed up with Tsiavis to create the party artwork.

Each event was specifically colour-themed, spawning the series that comprises Trough X_hibition.

“Our skills from our commercial experiences are really put to the test when producing the photoshoots,” Dimopoulos said.

“At times we’ve had over 30 people on set, models and volunteers helping out, shooting for two straight days. It’s always chaos.”

Tsiavis said the exhibition will also feature new work and imagery people haven’t seen before.

“The parties have facilitated the artwork, so it will be exciting to see how the work will be perceived when it is taken out of the party context and shown in a gallery space.”

INFO: Trough X_Hibition is at Gaffa Contemporary Art Gallery (281 Clarence St, Sydney), February 23 – March 6. It’s a free event. More at www.gaffa.com.au