Lazarus, the mastermind behind Queery This, is an award-winning fashion and wearable art designer whose practice spans social and street performance. The characters of Lazarus are his ‘children,’ birthing through a process of self discovery and release before merging into the world. These characters have stories, histories, dreams and visions of their own. For Lazarus, to costume and character-build is an acknowledgement of these children as cultural and phantasmagoric agents of the multiverse.

Participants should bring their own preferred materials, fabrics and tools.

Lazarus has a deep commitment to a waste-free arts practice and will bring some found and collected items.

Places are limited to 20 people, so register to reserve a place!

Workshop schedule:

10.00am: Lazarus will present an artist talk on his personal practice and demonstrate and introduce some of the costumes and characters in his collection.

10.30am: This will be followed by a group exercise, story sharing and presentation of practice and character ideas.

11.00am: Lazarus will guide participants through a skills and technique session such as weaving, binding and stitching and share how to wear and perform the character. Time will be given to developing the backstory, name and character of your creation.

11.30am: Making and construction time guided by Lazarus

12.30am: break

12.50am: Making and costume construction continues followed by presentation of work in progress and performance of character

1.30pm: Show and tell by participants.

2.00pm: finish

Participants will be invited to return and showcase their costumes and characters during the After Walter Hopps exhibition at Platform Arts on 11 October in connection with the ROAM festival on Little Malop street.

Platform Arts (Djilang/Geelong) is supported by the City of Greater Geelong, Creative Australia, and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Image credit: Lazarus Gordon

Contact the host of Costuming & Character with Lazarus Gordon