“Once upon a time there were cities where squats were legal, rents affordable and old nightclubs sat empty. In these recession-hit places, kids from mixed backgrounds played and created together. Music was made, clubs were formed, boundaries were broken and great times were had. This was the UK in the early 1990s.’’ – DuoVision, guest curators.

At a time when Section 28, a law introduced by Margaret Thatcher, made it criminal for local authorities and schools to ‘promote’ homosexuality, silencing the voices of queer people while the AIDS crisis tore through communities, queer people still danced, loved and came together to be themselves.

For this exhibition, Open Eye Gallery worked with guest curators, DuoVision (Martin Green & James Lawler). Club culture was an integral and informative part of DuoVision’s world, as Martin Green is also a DJ and ran the influential 90s club Smashing. James Lawler also avidly frequented clubs in London and the North West. In this exhibition, DuoVision wanted to celebrate their dancefloor roots by exploring memories from the community they helped to build. The show includes photography by Marc Vallée, Jon Shard, Donald Milne, David Swindells and a film by Tim Brunsden, reflecting on DuoVision’s practice, commissioned by Open Eye Gallery.

Proudly supported by Homotopia.

Martin Green & James Lawler, guest curators, DuoVision, said:

The Open Eye Gallery has always offered ourselves and other marginalised creatives much needed support and advice. We are pleased to finally be collaborating on this new exhibition which explores our own personal history and connections to UK club culture through two particular nightclubs, Smashing and Flesh at The Hacienda. In recent years Queer culture has become seen as a relevant subject for examination within gallery spaces, and this exhibition explores its roots as it manifested and developed on the dancefloor.

Adrian Friedli, Interim Executive Director, Homotopia, said:

With this exhibition, DuoVision takes the celebration of North West music from the 80s into the 90s. Having partnered with the fantastic DuoVision on The Holly Johnson Story, currently on display at Museum of Liverpool until 27th July 2025, Homotopia is delighted to support our long-term collaborators in this exciting and important project. An amazing show, and a significant event in marking the legacy of North West club and Queer culture.

Bronwyn Andrews, exhibition assistant curator and creative producer, Open Eye Gallery, said:

For Your Pleasure relishes queer club culture and its specific mode of existence as a refuge for queer expression. The queer club night’s haven-like quality – both in the 90s and today – allows for freedom of being, movement and connection in a way the daytime world could never.

Martin and James of DuoVision are unique curators in that they are part of the community their practice represents. Building a network of artists, musicians, and designers over 30+ years, they have played no small role in creating safe, creative spaces for queer people to come together and express themselves.