Liverpool artists ‘frightened’ after LGBTQ artwork is torn down
Two of three pieces were torn down just days after being put up by Homotopia.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Instagram/@homotopiafest
Organisers behind LGBTQ artwork in Liverpool have said they are ‘frightened” after two of the three pieces put up have been torn down just days after being installed.
Homotopia organised for the three pieces to be put up around Liverpool following a spate of homophobic attacks in the city.
The two pieces, which were part of the ‘Queer the City’ exhibition, were found torn down on Friday (29 October) and Tuesday (2 November)
“We feel frightened”
Ben Youdan’s piece called ‘Queer With No Fear’ which was displayed on the window of the FACT art gallery on Wood Street was found destroyed on Tuesday.
‘Hate Has No Place in Liverpool’ by Rosa Kusabbi at the shopping centre Liverpool One came down on Friday.
Homotopia said on Instagram it is working with FACT and Liverpool City Council and that Merseyside Police is investigating.
“As queer people we are always braced for an attack on our existence,” it continued.
“We don’t know why these works came down. But when something of this nature happens to work that is titled ‘Queer With No Fear’ and ‘Hate Has No Place in Liverpool’ we feel frightened.”
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The group emphasised that while they work to keep the city’s LGBTQ population safe, everyone had a responsibility to do the same and has called on allies to help.
It added: “The news is devastating, for the artists, for our queer community in Liverpool and for our small dedicated team at Homotopia. We ask in this time that you continue to keep each other safe and support queer art.”
The group is working to restore the pieces.
Protests have taken place in the city in recent months over several homophobic attacks. In June (Pride month) three attacks took place within a week with one person being threatened with a knife.
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