Features / Pansy Project
The ‘delicate, defiant’ living art resisting LGBTQ+ hate
A new art installation is providing Bristol with a powerful, yet delicate reminder of the impact of hate crime on the LGBTQ+ community.
The Pansy Project is an ongoing art activation wherein pansy flowers are planted the site of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crimes.
A new series has been springing up around the city as part of the Vanguard x TOward 2030, What Are You Doing? project.
is needed now More than ever
Each flower installation is named after the attack or harassment that happened at that location.
Paul Harfleet, artist and founder of The Pansy Project, led a group on a walking tour around Bristol while planting this latest series of work, creating a poignant moment as each flower was placed.
“You Gay Queer! – Punched.” marks an attack at Parson Street Station. Image: © The Pansy Project
The Vanguard x TOward 2030, What Are You Doing? project is a series of art activations across Bristol, centred around the United Nations 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Each participating artist created work aligned with a different one of the SDGs.
Artist MauMau created a mural in St Paul’s inspired by SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation, while Rich T’s mural in Campus Pool skate park is a response to SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Paul’s work focuses on SDG5: Gender Equality.
An interactive map of Pansy Project plantings
These works make a powerful statement about the SDG’s commitment to “leave no one behind” when LGBTQ+ people are often ignored in conversations about development and equality, both at home and on the global stage.
The timing of this project is remarkably poignant. While recent events have rightly brought important questions about women’s safety to the forefront, queer women, gender non-conforming people and trans women are frequently left out of – or forcibly excluded from – the conversation.
The “delicate yes defiant“ nature of the installations is only made more powerful in the wake of a recent spate of homophobic hate crimes in cities across the UK, further emphasised by the rainy backdrop to Paul’s walking tour.
Artist and founder of The Pansy Project, Paul Harfleet. Image: © Doug Gillen
However, Paul says it is important to focus on the beauty of queer community in order to foster hope and change.
“Despite the melancholic nature of my work, there’s always joy in connecting with my LGBTQ+ siblings to share our stories and connect.” he remarked.
“I believe that sharing the challenges we face connects and strengthens us.”
Main photo by Doug Gillen
Read More: Portrait photography exhibition celebrates Bristol’s queer community
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