Bridie Gill is an interdisciplinary artist working across sculpture, image-making and installation. Their research spans ecological fantasy, storytelling and class politics in an age of increasing individualism and austerity. They grew up on a small council estate in North-West Leeds, and credit much of their material understanding to this experience of childhood - their current work orbiting the physical and emotional container of the Wendy House they played in with their sibling as a kid. Bridie’s work also examines trauma and innocence, and the roles these can play in adult imagined worlds. Their images document a reclamation of body as home; particularly as this relates to the non consensual dissemination of personal images in the digital landscape they grew up in, as well as as a means of exploring an ever-evolving queer identity. They showcase the search for a sense of freedom and belonging even amongst increasingly unstable economic, political and ecological climates.
Uggly Bugga is the artists insectile performance identity; a drag creature whose name winks back at coarse Yorkshire grandmas. Where the rest of their work could be described as understated or considered; Uggly Bugga is a cacophony of raucous acts designed to elicit shocked and delighted attention. Utilising costume, dance, comedy and audio works Uggly Bugga performs in queer spaces for queer people. The work is lewd, crude and a labour of love.
