Bent Western: The Exhibition
Blacktown Arts Centre, 8 February – 12 April 2008

Bent Western explored Western Sydney’s queer culture. It was an official event of the 30th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and featured works from a selection of prominent queer artists active in Sydney’s west over the previous 30 years. The artists in Bent Western have lived, worked or studied in Western Sydney and made important contributions to queer cultures in the region and beyond. Bent Western demonstrates how art about sexuality always evokes a sense of place.

Artists: Ron Adams, Lionel Bawden, Liam Benson, Drew Bickford, Michael Butler, Karen Coull, José Da Silva, Christine Dean, Tim Hilton, Marius Jastkowiak, Erna Lilje, Arthur McIntyre, Jessica Olivieri, Kurt Schranzer, George Tillianakis, Anastasia Zaravinos

Bent Western: The Mardi Gras Float
Sydney Gallery & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, 1 March 2008

A Mardi Gras Parade float celebrating creativity and art in Western Sydney, supported by BlacktownArts Centre.

Artists: Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Lionel Bawden, Liam Benson, Christine Dean, Tim Hilton, Marius Jastkowiak, Anastasia Zaravinos, Byron St John, Katthy Cavaliere, Jemima Isbester, Barbara Karpinksi, Raymond Haber, Richard Gurney, Sari Kivinen, Rachel Scott, and more.

Bent Western: Live on Stage
Blacktown Arts Centre Theatre, 12 April 2008

A night of queer cabaret mayhem to celebrate the wrap of Bent Western. Hosted by Christina Superstar (Anastasia Zaravinos)

Performers: Jessica Olivieri, Lauren Horten, Julie de Paoli, Melissa Ramos, Emma White, Liam Benson, Renny Kodgers, Glace Chase, Daniel Mudie Cunningham, Tim Hilton, Gemma Starzec, Sari Kivinen, Brown Council, Yiorgos Zafiriou, Raymond Haber, Richard Gurney, Barbara Karpinski, Ghetto Pussy (Anastasia Zaravinos & Byron St John)