Paul Yore: Radical Exploration of Queerness and Trash

Yore’s creative process is rooted in the collection and transformation of found materials. He speaks about his fascination with trash and its omnipresence, emphasizing how discarded objects are a rich resource for his art. His regional location offers unique opportunities to source materials from local op shops and hard rubbish collections, often discovering remnants of quilting and embroidery practices prevalent in these areas.

Yore’s queerness is central to his art, not as a direct representation but as a methodological approach that resists categorization and embraces hybridity. He draws parallels between trash and queer identity, both existing on society's margins. For Yore, queerness involves disrupting, dissenting, and destabilizing normative constructs, providing a potent and radical lens through which he views his work. His art examines broader cultural issues, including Australia's colonial history and the pervasive influence of globalized neoliberal capitalism.

A decade of sobriety has profoundly influenced Yore’s artistic practice, allowing him to adopt a disciplined and rigorous approach to his work. While his early experiences with drugs and the vibrant gay club scene have left an indelible mark on the visual tone of his art, sobriety has brought clarity and intensity to his creative process. His art remains psychedelic in appearance, a testament to his past yet is now constructed through a sober lens, both literally and figuratively.

Yore's relationship with the art world is complex and characterized by both love and hate. He finds joy and kinship in the community of artists, yet grapples with the centralization and bureaucracy that often stifle spontaneity and creativity. Representation and inclusivity remain pressing issues, with Yore advocating for greater diversity in art institutions and academia. While he critiques neoliberalism through his work, he acknowledges the necessity of making a living from his art.

Yore’s experiences with censorship, particularly early in his career, have shaped his resilience and complexity as an artist. From artworks being removed from galleries to curatorial decisions that preemptively exclude challenging works, Yore believes that these experiences have made him more thoughtful about the role and impact of art in public spaces.

Paul Yore's art is a radical exploration of queerness, materiality, and societal critique. His journey from collecting trash to creating intricate artworks, navigating sobriety, and confronting censorship, illustrates the transformative power of art. 

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Artist's artwork: