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The Pansey Project - Paul Harfleet and Homophobia
A string of homophobic abuse on a warm summer’s day was the catalyst for this project. The day began with two builders shouting; “it’s about time we went gaybashing again isn’t it?”; continued with a gang of yobs throwing abuse and stones at my boyfriend and me, and ended with a bizarre and unsettling confrontation with a man who called us ‘ladies’ under his breath. Over the years I have become accustomed to this kind of behaviour, but I came to realise it was a shocking concept to most of my friends and colleagues.
Artist Paul Harfleet plants pansies at the site of homophobic abuse, he finds the nearest source of soil to where the incident occurred and generally without civic permission plants one unmarked pansy. The flower is then photographed in it's location and posted on his website, the image is entitled after the abuse.
Titles like "Let's kill the Bati-Man!" and "Fucking Faggot!" reveal a frequent reality of gay experience which often goes unreported to authorities. This simple action operates as a gesture of quiet resistance, some pansies flourish and others wilt in urban hedgerows.
The artist began by planting pansies to mark his own experience of homophobia on the streets of Manchester UK though now he plants pansies for others both on an individual basis and as part of various festivals and events.
It is one year since the death of Michael Causer a young 18 year old gay man from Liverpool, killed simply because of his sexuality. Anniversaries can be a searingly painful experience for those bereft.
In my work with the Causer family I have been struck by their reluctant acceptance of this tragedy and their determination to promote Michael as a loved and treasured family member. A tragedy can occasionally jettison the 'victim' into martyrdom, the Causers have resisted such temptation and have painted this young and vivacious man as a normal member of society. The world wide coverage of the story has secured his name as another on a long and horrific list of those murdered for their sexual preference, and as long as The Pansy Project exists it shall help combat this reality in every way possible. My thoughts are as ever with the Causers who have embodied a humble and steadfast determination throughout this last year.
Much Love Paul Harfleet
The Pansy Project
For those able to attend there is a memorial on Sunday August 2nd:
"Please join us on the first anniversary of the death of murdered gay teenager Michael Causer at the Memorial Stone to all victims of persecution in St Johns Gardens (behind St. Georges Hall) Liverpool on Sunday 2nd August. We're meeting at 12.00 noon, and at 12.30, one year on from the exact moment of Michael's death, there will be a minute's silence, and friends and family will be invited to speak about Michael, and what he meant to them. Afterwards, we walk along Victoria Street to the Gay Quarter."
The Pansy Project and The Pansey Project Blog
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