Throughout Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency, fashion, costume, looks, poses and postures tell the story of queer appearance and community. Join curator and writer Paul Boyé and artist Lillian Colgan in conversation as they discuss how The ballad of sexual dependency offers an archive of moments that provide deeper insights into queer style and taste from a not-too-distant past marked by tragedy and liberation.

	Paul Boyé is a curator and writer creating work that understands interiority, vibe and thinking. They are currently the Curator at Goolugatup Heathcote, and a Lecturer of Curatorial Studies and Art History at the University of Western Australia.
	Lillian Colgan is an artist whose practice explores the way normative social power shapes embodiment. Lillian's work considers how material play can be used to unpack feelings surrounding queer and trans identity. Drawing on their personal experiences, Lillian creates multidisciplinary installations that often involve sculpture, textiles, video, and sound. They have exhibited nationally and participated in creative projects with organisations including Artspace, PICA, Performance Space, and Parramatta Artist Studios.

Paul Boyé is a curator and writer creating work that understands interiority, vibe and thinking. They are currently the Curator at Goolugatup Heathcote, and a Lecturer of Curatorial Studies and Art History at the University of Western Australia.

Lillian Colgan is an artist whose practice explores the way normative social power shapes embodiment. Lillian's work considers how material play can be used to unpack feelings surrounding queer and trans identity. Drawing on their personal experiences, Lillian creates multidisciplinary installations that often involve sculpture, textiles, video, and sound. They have exhibited nationally and participated in creative projects with organisations including Artspace, PICA, Performance Space, and Parramatta Artist Studios.

Light refreshments will be provided.

The JCG Lunchtime Talks is a mid-week series that invites speakers from diverse disciplines to share their research, practices, and perspectives in response to the gallery’s exhibition programming. These informal sessions offer a welcoming, collegial space to explore ideas, spark dialogue, and engage with the themes and questions shaping contemporary visual culture and artistic practice.

The Gallery’s public opening hours during exhibitions are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12pm to 4pm. Closed Saturdays and Public Holidays.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.curtin.edu.au/jcg/

Nan Goldin: The ballad of sexual dependency is a National Gallery Touring Exhibition presented as part of the Bowness Family Foundation Photography Touring Program.

Viewer Advice: The photographs in Nan Goldin’s The ballad of sexual dependency depict the everyday lives, often in intimate detail, of people in Goldin’s immediate community during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

15+ Content Warning: Please be advised that works of art in the exhibition depict explicit nudity, sexual acts, drug use, and the impacts of violence against women. Viewer discretion is advised under the age of 15.

Photo credits:

Banner image: Nan Goldin, Twisting at my birthday party, New York City, 1980, 1980, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2021 in celebration of the National Gallery of Australia's 40th anniversary, 2022 © Nan Goldin.

Image 2: Portrait of Paul Boyé portrait courtesy of subject.

Image 3: Portrait of Lillian Colgan by Anna Hay.

Photography

This event will be photographed and/or videoed and images will occasionally be used for promotional and marketing purposes, including social media. If you do not wish to be photographed or videoed, please notify staff at event registration.

Accessibility

Everyone is welcome at the John Curtin Gallery. Plan your visit to the John Curtin Gallery.