City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi is proud to present a screening of Sebastaine, 1976, (90mins). This event is one of three screenings of Derek Jarman’s feature length films, others include Caravaggio and The Garden. Each film is selected and introduced by key members of Aotearoa’s art community who hold Jarman close.
This screening will be held at City Gallery Wellington’s Adam Auditorium in Te Ngākau Civic Square. Doors to the foyer will open from 6.30pm, with a cash bar and refreshments on arrival. Doors to the auditorium will open at 6.45pm and the screening will commence at 7.00pm with pre-recorded introduction by artist and photographer Russ Flatt (Ngāti Kahungunu).
Sebastiane
-Russ Flatt
Jarman's Sebastiane is a vivid exploration of desire and identity. The film's rich visual and auditory language transports viewers into a unique, dreamlike world. For me as a viewer, it felt like a feverish, almost hallucinogenic fantasy, merging the erotic and the poetic. It is not often we are able to view a mainstream film that taps into our innermost desires as gay men and presents the male form unapologetically objectified for our viewing pleasure.
Growing up Aotearoa in the 70’s I wish that we had cinema that was able to transcend time and space and help us understand who we are / were as a community. In an ideal world, such narratives would have offered visibility and validation, allowing us to see ourselves reflected in art without the shadow of bigotry or homophobia. It’s heartbreaking to think how these different narratives might have influenced understanding and acceptance within our communities. The absence of such representations often left many of us feeling isolated and confused in our identities. It's fascinating to consider how Sebastiane, with its unapologetic depiction of male desire, served as a precursor to the LGBTQIA+ movements that gained momentum shortly thereafter. Jarman's artistic vision not only challenged societal norms but also created a space for dialogue that was so necessary at a time when queer narratives were largely absent from mainstream media.
Russ Flatt
Russ Flatt (Ngāti Kahungunu) makes staged photographs to create an environment to express and communicate an awareness of contemporary issues. Flatt’s careful and specific choice to work with models is a way to address identity and contemplate Aotearoa’s political realities, social constructs, and ethnic diversity. The artist’s approach is situated in Victorian photography that uses striking scenic backdrops, looks at historical themes, portraiture, and early New Zealand photography montages. Recently Flatt has been exploring moving image using 3D mapping technology. Flatt lives and works in Tamaki Makaurau.
His exhibition te ahua, te wa, te atea is now on show at The Dowse Art Museum until October 27, 2024.
Derek Jarman: Delphinium Days is presented in partnership with The Dowse Art Museum. It has been co-developed by Gus Fisher Gallery and City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi. It is co-curated by Lisa Beauchamp, Curator of Contemporary Art at Gus Fisher Gallery, Aaron Lister, Senior Curator (Toi) at City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, and Michael Lett.
This exhibition was made possible with the lead support of Tony Kerridge and Micheal Do, with additional support of the City Gallery Wellington Foundation, the Delphinium Days Exhibition Circle, and those who wish to remain anonymous. The Wellington Public Programme is brought to you by The British Council New Zealand and the Pacific. With thanks to Howard Sooley, Gordon Rainsford, Denis Doran, the Keith Collins Will Trust and Amanda Wilkinson, London. Films courtesy of LUMA Foundation and James MacKay.
