What is it?
Three nights of art, fashion, DJs, live performance and music by local LGBTQIA+ creatives.
The artists began with a series of collaborative workshops, then chose the title, created works individually or together, took part in a photoshoot, and put the show together. Three themes run through the show: water, connection and revelation.
Read the curator's statement
Alter Ego brings together 21 LGBTQIA+ artists from Magandjin. Beginning in late August, the artists met for a series of shared workshops to paint, sew, fabricate and swap ideas, then stepped in front of the camera for a run of photo shoots. Together they chose the title, shaped the performance program and designed the exhibition around you.
The group deliberately left "alter ego" undefined. Some works conjure a persona; others return to a younger self or imagine one still to come.
As the works developed, three currents began to run between them:
- Water
- Change, fluidity, feeling, and the material itself.
- Connection
- Between collaborators who helped bring costumes and objects to life, and between the many versions of one person.
- Revelation
- The courage to show yourself, to face something difficult, or to try on a different role.
An alter ego can be a way to explore, a place to shelter, or a new angle on yourself and the world. Look for the theme symbols on the labels as you move through the space, and ask yourself: who is your alter ego?
We acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera/Yagara peoples, traditional custodians of the land on which this exhibition takes place, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Thank you to the LGBTIQA+ elders who came before us so that we could tell our stories today.
Aisling Sartor, Curator, 2026
Each night
Doors 4pm. Special events 6–10pm. Bar open each evening.
Wed 4 Nov
- Welcome to Country
- Performances
- Open runway: strut your stuff
- DJ Gideon Mzembe on Instagram (opens in new tab)
Thu 5 Nov
- Musical performances by exhibiting artists Claire Louise and Tahnee Elliott, solo and as a duet
- Open stage: play a song, share a poem, lip sync. Get in touch with Tahnee on Instagram (opens in new tab) or let us know from 5pm on the night
- DJ @winona_router_ on Instagram (opens in new tab)
Fri 6 Nov
- Variety performances, hosted by Betty (opens in new tab)
- DJ Lingua Franca
Betty is OBE (over bloody eighty), queer, likes to rap and gets out of the nursing home to hang out with the young folk of today, sharing stories of heart-break, heart-burn and other realities of getting old.
Visit
Where
VENTspace website (opens in new tab) 23 Glenelg StSouth Brisbane QLD 4101 Open in Maps (opens in new tab)
Getting there
- Train: South Bank station
- Bus: Cultural Centre
- Parking: limited street parking, or Convention Centre and Cultural Centre car parks
Entry
FreeDonations to local LGBTQIA+ charities welcome
FAQs
Who can attend?
All welcome. There are some adult themes and nudity, so viewer and guardian discretion is advised for works as signed.
Is it accessible?
There's a wheelchair-accessible bathroom on site, seating throughout, and tables and chairs in the front carpark. For other access needs, message @collab.brisbane on Instagram (opens in new tab) or email alterego.info@proton.me.
Is it a safe space?
Yes. Everyone has a right to feel safe. If you have any concerns, talk to staff or organisers.
Do I need a ticket?
No, it's free. Donations to local LGBTQIA+ charities are welcome on the night.
Is there food and drink?
The bar is open each evening with drinks to purchase. Light refreshments are provided on opening night (Wednesday), and there are plenty of places to eat nearby.
Can I buy the works?
Some works are for sale. Chat to the artists on the night, or we can put you in touch to talk about buying artworks or prints.
Artists
- Clareo @dinnseanchas on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Claire Louise
- Lauren Spriggs
- Dani Ringrose @dani_ringrose on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Carmen Seaby
- Dilsah
- Thanh Tâm @ik.thanhtam on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Jessica Astrid
- Amelia Woods
- Elizabeth Sweeney
- Mr Emmett
- Baby Winehouse
- Warren Rose Turner @krillology on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Emma Barry @debutaunting on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Aisling Sartor @aiscait99 on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Jess Rankine Chop Shop Designs on Facebook (opens in new tab)
- Tahnee Elliott @arbitraryalphabet on Instagram (opens in new tab)
- Amber Craig-Rose
- Liegh Chadwick
colLAB facilitators
- Ehud Joseph
- Kristy Power
- Nina
About colLAB
A Brisbane collective running creative skills workshops in fashion, costume and wearable art.
Sneak peeks on Instagram. Questions? alterego.info@proton.me
Follow @collab.brisbane on Instagram (opens in new tab)More
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