Queer Harvest

2023 | From 1928 to 1956, the Galerie für Kontemporäre Kunst und Inszenierung—G143—was a Kollonialwaren shop and Südfrüchtehandel, a store for colonial wares and exotic fruits imported from around the globe. The fruit came from places where colonialism had devastating effects on indigenous people. Today G143 showcases creativity and innovation in the arts.

During much G143’s Südfrüchtehandel era, Germany imposed harsh penalties for homosexuality, and thousands of gay people died in concentration camps. Germany is now a leader in equality, setting an example for the rest of the world.

This spring in Namibia, a former German colony, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of gay marriage. Though not without ongoing struggles, the LGBTIQ+ movement in Namibia is active and strong. Meanwhile, the United States is moving backwards, as state after state, and the U.S. Supreme Court, pass draconian laws targeting LGBTIQ+ people, women, and ethnic minorities, reversing decades of human rights advances.

A collaboration between U.S. citizen Ruth Stanford and Namibian citizen Anne Lacheiner-Kuhn, Queer Harvest celebrates the vibrancy of gay life, reveals a fascinating chapter in the history of the gallery space, and challenges viewers to consider the ongoing tug of war surrounding LGBTIQ+ rights around the world.

Whether you are an art enthusiast, a fruit lover, or an advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights, this exhibition invites you to explore the intersection of Hamburg’s queer culture and offbeat history, reflect on the past, and imagine a kind and inclusive future. Special thanks to costume designer Sue Ahmed.