Hong Kong-based photographer Laura Simonsen’s latest solo exhibition – “Why Not Here?” – features 14 couples legally married or in a civil partnership from overseas and living in Hong Kong.
The name of the exhibition refers to the fact that same-sex couples are denied the right to marry in Hong Kong. The marriages and civil partnerships of same-sex couples are also not recognised.
Simonsen’s work makes the statement that marriage equality is a human right and there is no reason for it to be denied to the LGBT+ community.
Simonsen hopes that her photos and short video will prompt viewers in Hong Kong to ask, “Why not here?”
Simonsen is a Glasgow School of Art graduate and is currently on the way to becoming an Art and Design teacher. She is interested in visual investigations of social, political and personal issues that have strong impacts on the communities in which they are displayed.
The event is sponsored by HSBC, ANZ Australia, Treacle, PLUG Magazine, Pink Season, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, and Paul Gerrard Salon.
The exhibition opening will take place at 8:30pm on October 24 at The Barbers Basement Art Gallery on 36 Pottinger Street, Hong Kong. Check out the event’s Facebook page here.
