Union Chapel is celebrating London’s LGBTQIA+ trailblazers, communities, and heritage during Pride Month (June) with ‘Rainbow Streets: Then and Next’, an exhibition of student artworks inspired by Islington’s queer history, accompanied by a soundtrack submitted by the local community.
The immersive exhibition draws from Union Chapel’s legacy as a beacon of inclusivity in Islington such as hosting same-sex marriages and supporting LGBTQIA+ rights.
Curated in partnership with Islington’s Estorick Collection, the exhibition features work by local students, drawing from Islington Local History Centre’s Pride archive – a treasure trove of flyers, posters, and stories documenting gay rights activism. Estorick’s collaboration with Union Chapel provides an opportunity to engage young people with local history and creative practice.
Learning Officer at Estorick Collection, Luca Nasciuti says, “As our collection focuses on Italian modern art, this project embodies our commitment to the local community by introducing young people to experimental art practices and techniques represented in our collection that still resonate today. I look forward to seeing how students will respond to our displays in the creation of a new series of works that celebrate young perspectives on the local LGBTQIA+ experience.”
The artwork will be hung from the ceiling in the Union Chapel bar.
Islington has long been a hub for LGBTQIA+ solidarity. This project revives forgotten narratives like unsung local heroes and groundbreaking organisations, through art, ensuring their legacy lives on. The exhibition aims to honour these individuals for their advocacy, solidarity, inclusivity and cultural contributions. Archive volunteers are leading the research.
“This project explores and celebrates the rich LGBTQ+ history of Islington, with a particular focus on the power of resistance, solidarity and allyship that continue to resonate today. Learning more about the human stories in these archives and responding creatively offers a meaningful way to connect the past to the present, and to imagine a vibrant, inclusive future.” – Laura, Pride archive research volunteer.
“I have found the sessions at the Islington Local History Centre Pride archive really informative. The material I have looked at has provided a moving insight into the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Islington. It is inspiring that Union Chapel is focusing on this group in its Sunday School Stories project.” – Lucy, Pride archive research volunteer
