Title: Grimsby Artist’s Work Reflects on Military’s Past LGBT Ban, Set to Illuminate Scunthorpe
Content:
Tonight in Scunthorpe, an emotive work of art, inspired by the historic ban on LGBT+ personnel in the military, will be unveiled. The artist, Annabel McCourt from Grimsby, has created a neon installation named Per Ardua, which will be lit at the 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. The unveiling will be led by the local Pride organisation, Rainbow Youth. This event commemorates 25 years since the discriminatory military policy was overturned in 2000.
Being raised in Lincolnshire, an area enriched by a long aviation history, McCourt’s childhood experiences coupled with her identity as a gay woman, have left a profound impact on her artistic career. The name of the piece, Per Ardua, a reference to the Royal Air Force’s motto ‘Per ardua ad astra’, symbolises the obstacles encountered by LGBT+ individuals in the military. A stark contrast is drawn by McCourt as she elides ‘ad astra’, highlighting the unreachable stars for those restricted by the ban.
Running until the 5th of July, the exhibition will display McCourt’s unique style, mixing sound, neon, and industrial materials into large-scale installations. The exhibition provokes visitors to reflect on both personal and shared histories, opening a dialogue on debates surrounding adversity and healing. This occasion not only inaugurates McCourt’s artistic accomplishments but also brings attention to the leaps and bounds made in LGBT+ rights in the past 25 years.
This story was adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.
