Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection

LGBTQ+ art and heritage have endured across the centuries, with communities continuing to express and preserve their Queer stories. This new exhibition brings together artworks and objects from Sheffield’s collections to explore how Queer art speaks to our lives today.

Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection sees historic and contemporary artworks and objects paired or grouped through three key conversations – Revolution, the historical legal and social constraints surrounding Queer expression; Revelation, coded messages which have been hidden or deliberately obscured; and Reinforcement, how the foundations of Queer art and its histories continue to be retained and strengthened.

Alongside artworks and objects from the city's collections, visitors to the exhibition will also see a new bespoke wallpaper designed by Sheffield artist Lisa O’Hara. The design has been inspired by workshops with local LGBTQ+ communities, including groups from SAYiT and Zest, and visitors to the Millennium Gallery. 

Revolution, Revelation, Reinforcement: Queer Legacies in Sheffield’s Art Collection has been curated by Jon Sleigh and reflects his approach to uncovering, contextualising and celebrating Queer histories. Sleigh is an arts educator, learning facilitator and curator working with organisations across the UK.

Growing, caring for and sharing the city’s collections is only possible thanks to you and your generosity – please donate £5 to ensure that the collections, and the stories they tell, can be enjoyed for generations to come.