Join a guided tour of the groundbreaking exhibition Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s, led by the museum's Assistant Curator, Queensland Stories, Tess Shingles.

Discover the captivating fashion and design elements on display, learn about some of the notable designers featured in the exhibition, and gain exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into its creation.

Please meet at the Cloak Room on Level 2.

Your guide

Tess brings a unique and valuable perspective to her work from her experience working in a variety of roles within the museum sector. While working in the Cultures and Histories team Tess has taken a supportive role for exhibitions including the Island Futures: What Lies Ahead for Zenadth Kes?, Secrets: Objects of Intrigue, and Make a Scene: Fashioning Queer Identity and Club Culture in the 90s.

In Tess's previous research she focused on 19th and 20th century popular literature, exploring how it interacted and was shaped by historical and social context. This perspective influences how Tess engages with the Queensland Museum collection in her role as Assistant Curator, Queensland Stories.

Reflecting her interest in fashion and women's histories, Tess has worked closely with the Queensland Museum costume collection in her curatorial role. She is particularly interested in representing hidden histories related to women and strives to present objects and histories to challenge the audience's pre-existing perspectives.

Accessibility

This exhibition aims to recreate the feel of a '90s dance floor with music, lighting effects and reflective surfaces. Low lighting has also been used to promote the preservation of textile and paper objects throughout the exhibition. Please be aware of the reflective flooring and mind your step on the tour.

For more information, visit the Make a Scene exhibition page.

Additional Information

This exhibition explores LGBTQ+ histories and experiences.

Some stories and artwork include experiences of stigma and marginalisation, themes of sexuality, drug use, discrimination, the AIDS epidemic, and its personal and political impact. While the exhibition was developed in consultation with experts and community representatives, some content may be emotionally challenging. We encourage visitors to engage with care and reflection. Support resources are available. Parents and carers should decide if it's suitable for younger visitors.