Exploring Identities

Christopher Turrell and Simon Dredge talk about how their queer identity is reflected in their work, aiming to help shape cultural understanding of the LGBT community and honouring the resilience and evolution of gay history. Christopher’s In Conversation installation of queer historical figures was shown at Collect 2025. Simon’s Gay Pride series of plates at Collect 2024 explored gay themes through text and images.

Christopher Turrell has worked in clay for over 30 years, teaching and working with The Liverpool Biennial. His work explores his personal history – drawing from his childhood and teenage years – researching the queer figures and artists who shaped his identity. Influential people such as Derek Jarman and Angus Suttie played a crucial role in his artistic and personal development and their work and courage in expressing identity and desire through art has been a constant source of inspiration.

Simon Dredge is an English ceramic artist whose work delves into the profound impact of history in shaping cultural understanding, specifically the LGBT community. Working primarily in porcelain, he creates pieces that not only honour the resilience and evolution of gay history but also invite viewers to engage with layers of photo images, ceramic glazes, acrylic paints and watercolours, each of which interact on the surface to bring depth, texture and emotion to his work.