Everyone Involved is an exhibition by Ian Giles, commissioned by ‘a space’ arts. Ian enlivens queer archives by collaborating with LGBTQIA+ pioneers to amplify their achievements and legacies. His films and performances grow out of embedded relationships, first hand research and a multidisciplinary studio practice.

Everyone Involved is an immersive installation and film featuring ‘A Gay Song’, which is heralded as the first LGBTQIA+ protest song recorded onto vinyl in 1972. Ian has reformed the original band to re-record the song 52 years after its inception. This act of reunion is a cross generational gesture of thanks and also an example of the living legacy of the gay liberation movement in the UK.

The song at the centre of the film speaks of self-love and celebrates being gay as part of nature’s natural diversity. It was recorded only 5 years after the partial decriminalisation of sex between men was passed in England in 1967. It encapsulates the spirit of the early gay rights movement which promoted the mantra that ‘Gay is Good’ in counterbalance to centuries of oppression. The song was written by Alan Wakeman and Michael Klein and was originally performed in Soho in a studio used to record foreign language teaching tools. ‘A Gay Song’ formed part of an album made by the band, ‘Everyone Involved’ which included environmental and human rights songs. 1000 copies of the album were then given out for free and some were buried in a time capsule in Brazil.

Ian chose to work with the song for his Southampton commission as it nods to the ethos of the 1976 conference for the Campaign for Homosexual Equality that was held at Southampton’s Guildhall and the Polygon Hotel. A special train was chartered from Waterloo to allow delegates to attend this landmark gathering.

The film of the band’s 2024 performance at RAK Studios is shown alongside monumental wall hangings made by the artist from vintage fabrics and found textiles. Ian has hand painted archival cartoons on to the fabrics which highlight the joyful creativity of the gay rights movement. A carpeted conversation pit offers a communal space for viewers to sit together to watch the film and will be a space for workshops and gatherings throughout the exhibition.

Following its exhibition at GHT, the work will enter the collection of Southampton City Art Gallery to help further preserve this important piece of LGBTQIA+ creativity.

About the artist: Ian Giles was born in Gloucester in 1985. Working across performance, moving image, installation, painting and events; his work fosters new networks to record and celebrate queer histories and experiences.

Selected exhibitions, performances and screenings include: Middlesbrough Collection: Soft Structures at MIMA, Middlesbrough [2023/24]; ‘On Railton Road’ at Museum of the Home, London [2023]; ‘A Clear Comfort’ at Van Gogh House, London [2023] ‘A Reflection in Time’ commissioned by MIMA and broadcast on BBC Sounds [2023]; ‘The London Open’, the Whitechapel Gallery, London [2022]; ‘On Railton Road’, supported by the Jerwood New Work Fund [2021]; ‘After BUTT’, Kunstnerforbundet, Oslo [2020]; ‘Please Divide in Groups of Two or Three’, KV Leipzig [2019]; ‘Outhouse’, Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge & Firstsite, Colchester [2019]; ‘Studio Four’, OUTPOST, Norwich [2019] ; ‘Trojan Horse/Rainbow Flag’ presented by Gasworks at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, London [2019]; ‘After BUTT’ at MoMA PS1 during the NY Art Book Fair, New York [2018]; ‘Video Club: Sex Talks’, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam [2018]; Call Me Mr Benson, OCB Chinatown, New York [2018] & ‘After BUTT’, Chelsea Space, London [2018]. His work has also been shown at Harvard University, the Chisenhale Gallery and Grand Union.

Ian was awarded an A-N Bursary [2021/22]. He was a New Geographies commissioned artist [2018/20]. His resulting performance and installation was acquired with the support from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund for Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Collection. He was the inaugural winner of the Shannon Michael Cane Award [2018] presented by Printed Matter, New York. Residencies include Hospitalfields [2017] and Cambridge School Of Art [2023]. He was awarded a production bursary by Spike Island and the Centre For Moving Image Research [2016].

He has been a visiting artist and lectured at Chelsea College Of Arts, Cambridge School of Art, Camberwell College of Arts, Birmingham School of Art, City University London and University of Cambridge Department of Architecture.

He completed his BFA at Chelsea College of Arts and his MFA at the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL. Upon graduating he was a LUX Associate Artist. Ian was a cohort member of Constellations [2023/24] A programme curated by UP Projects in partnership with Flat Time House and in association with Liverpool Biennial.

Everyone Involved: Michael Klein (Vocals & Guitar), Gillian Bartlam (Vocals), Nigel Stewart (Piano), Richard Lanchester (Percussion), James Asher (Drums) with Nick Appleton (Bass) and Sophie Wright-Palmer, Josi Clay, Susan Beattie and PK Taylor (Choir). Recorded and Mixed by Isabel Gracefield at RAK Studios in June 2024. Studio Assistant: Tommy Bosustow.

Crew credits: Ian Giles (Director & Editor), Sophie Crawford (Musical Director), Oscar Oldershaw (Director of Photography), Jackie Teboul (2nd Camera), Joana Magalhães (1st AC), Arie Priede (2nd AC), Edward Heredia (Gaffer), Stephen Crabb (Spark), Sid Jones (Key Grip), Joseph Campbell (Sound Recordist), Bertie Taylor-Smith (Stylist), Ian Giles (Production Designer), Becky Warnock (Talent Support), Alex Bijan Zandi (Colourist) and Mia Delve (Producer). In Memory of Alan Wakeman

With thanks to: Mary Cork, Tegan Nicholls, Emma Townsend, Sam Lee, Jeremy Atherton Lin, Emmyland, Green Kit and Halo.

Funded by: Arts Council England, Art Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund and FoSMAG for Southampton City Art Gallery Collection.