For Your Pleasure: 15 Years Of DuoVision at Open Eye Gallery

Open Eye Gallery presents For Your Pleasure: 15 Years of DuoVision, an exhibition of photographs that celebrate the queer club culture of the 90s in the UK. 

DuoVision comprises Martin Green and James Lawler: Green ran the influential 90s club Smashing in London while Lawler was an avid club-goer, both in London and the North West. They came together as DuoVision in 2012, and since then have curated over 40 exhibitions, with a particular focus on overlooked artists, photographers and designers. They work closely with the LGBTQIA+ community, promoting pure self expression from the artists they’re collaborating with. Their exhibition soundtracks are produced by Marc Almond and Jarvis Cocker, with performances by Patrick Wolf and Andrew Logan: music and conversation are key aspects of DuoVision’s exhibitions, adding another dimension to the striking work on display.

For Your Pleasure: 15 Years of DuoVision focuses on the period of early 1990s, during the recession in the North West where, in the words of the guest curators themselves: “squats were legal, rents affordable and old nightclubs sat empty. (…) kids from mixed backgrounds played and created together. Music was made, clubs were formed, boundaries were broken and great times were had.’’ 

These good times were captured by Jon Shard and David Swindells, with scenes from Smashing in London and Manchester’s gay night ‘Flesh’ at The Hacienda. You’ll see photographs of dancers in flamboyant outfits in defiant poses, as well as images of people in recognisably 90s outfits and settings posing at home, lounging around or getting ready to go out. These were caught on camera by Marc Vallée and Donald Milne (who, fittingly, also photographed Pulp’s album cover for ‘Different Class’). There is also a film by Tim Brunsden, reflecting on DuoVision’s practice, commissioned by Open Eye Gallery. 

For Your Pleasure: 15 Years of DuoVision celebrates the culture and sub-cultures of the period with pride and vibrant energy. DuoVision’s contribution to providing safe and creative spaces for queer communities cannot be underestimated and the exhibition honours the connections that were made and the freedom that these night time havens could create.