A unique chance to see experimental short films by James Broughton and Joel Singer.
Exploring Radical Faerie gatherings and queer shamanic ritual, Broughton and Singer’s poetic and erotic films delight in the body, presenting a vision of a world where men have forsaken rivalry and taken up affection.
This rolling screening has been programmed by artist-filmmaker Sam Ashby, in conjunction with his current exhibition and film work, Sanctuary, at nearby San Mei Gallery in Brixton, giving a broader context for his research and exhibition.
James Broughton (1913–1999) was a North American poet and filmmaker from San Francisco. Broughton was a member of the San Francisco Renaissance movement, an early bard of the Radical Faeries, as well as a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Broughton made more than 20 experimental films during his career and, in 1973 met Joel Singer (b.1948): becoming lovers and collaborators, they worked on a number of works together.
Screenings:
James Broughton and Joel Singer, Song of the Godbody, 1983, 10 mins
James Broughton and Joel Singer, Hermes Bird, 1979, 11 mins
James Broughton and Joel Singer, Shaman Psalm, 1981, 8 mins
James Broughton and Joel Singer, The Gardener of Eden, 8 mins
Films will screen on a continuous loop. Drop-in, no booking required.
With thanks to Joel Singer for permission to screen these films.
Sam Ashby’s exhibition Sanctuary continues at San Mei Gallery until 16 November 2024. Open Wednesday–Saturday 11 am–6 pm.
The American poet James Broughton (1913–1999) was a member of the San Francisco Renaissance movement, an early bard of the Radical Faeries, as well as a member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Broughton made more than 20 experimental films during his career and, in 1973, met Joel Singer (b.1948): becoming lovers and collaborators, they worked together on a number of short poetic, spiritual and erotic works
Sam Ashby (b. 1981) is a British artist based in London. Sam’s archival, research-led practice is concerned with uncovering marginal narratives and activating them through film, writing and publishing. From 2010–2021 he edited, designed and published Little Joe, a journal for the discussion of film around subjects of sexuality and gender within a queer historical context. His first film, The Colour of His Hair (2017) premiered at International Film Festival Rotterdam and won the Best Documentary prize at London Short Film Festival 2018. His last, La Licorne (2022), was commissioned by Villa Noailles for the 90th anniversary of Île du Levant, a naturist colony in the South of France. He was an artist in residence at the Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR, 2014), is a recipient of the Van Abbemuseum’s Deviant Practice research grant (2018–2019), and is a MacDowell Colony Fellow (2016, 2019). Most recently, he has edited an anthology of Little Joe for SPBH Editions/MACK, and was an artist in residence at the Tom of Finland Foundation (2024).
San Mei Gallery is a non-profit independent space for contemporary art in South London, committed to research-led, educational and collaborative exchanges. First opened in 2017, we operate with an artist-led approach and support artists and curators to experiment with new ideas. Our cross-disciplinary programme of exhibitions and events exists to develop emerging artistic practice in London and further afield.
This event is programmed in conjunction with Ashby’s exhibition Sanctuary, at San Mei Gallery, Brixton.
Saturday 9 November 2024, 3 pm
Publication Launch and Talk: Sam Ashby in conversation with Harry Cocks
Thursday 7 November 2024, 10.30 am–12 pm
Community Coffee Morning and Curator’s Tour
Visit San Mei Gallery for further information.
This event includes films featuring nudity, sexually explicit and erotic content, and flashing images.
