Fridae

A South Korean rights organization is to showcase photos about the difficulty lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people face growing up so as to  draw attention of the public and policy makers against homophobia and discrimination in society.

Despite Pope Francis's recent pronouncements that the Catholic church should stop focusing on gay issues, the Catholic Church has reportedly threatened legal action should an art gallery in Rome decide to go ahead with its exhibition of photographs showing same-sex couples sharing kisses in churches.

From 15 to 31 August, the art exhibition No Approval is on show at Grey Projects, Singapore. Held in conjunction with the annual IndigNation Pride Festival, the show challenges the idea that LGBT culture is going to fit easily into the heterosexual mainstream.

A rising star in Cambodia's contemporary art scene, Vuth Lyno creates photographic portraits of LGBTs in his country. Fridae talks to him about his work before his presentation in Singapore as part of TheatreWorks's Superintense on Sat, 19 Jan. His exhibition Thoamada II will be open from 26 Jan to 2 Mar in Phnom Penh.

From 4 to 18 May, rainbowartsproject is holding "Handsome: IVSG", an art exhibition about men and masculinity. Featured artists include filmmaker Bruce LaBruce, photographer Marcus Mok and young illustrator Faisal Husni.

Fridae talks to outspoken Singaporean transgender artist Marla Bendini, who first came out as a gay man at 17, about activism and art. Her current show Conversations Between Father and Son – a multimedia installation performance with paintings – pays tribute to her late father.

AIDS Concern is the adopted charity of this year's Hong Kong International Art Fair to be held May 27-30. 100% of proceeds from the sales of the 500 allocated tickets, which are worth HK$75,000, will benefit the charity. Fridae.com's Hong Kong Correspondent, Nigel Collett has more details.

Fridae speaks to one of the stars of the Singapore Biennale art exhibition, Australian queer activist/artist Deborah Kelly and finds out more about activism through art and her latest work called "Beware of the God" which warns against the influence of religion on politics.

Fridae speaks to Singaporean lesbian artist Genevieve Chua, whose first solo exhibition, As Brutal As - which explores themes of psychological horror and sexuality - opens this Friday.