We Laughed by Gavin Dobson

‘As a gay man, you spend a lot of time watching. Often, you don’t know if the stranger in the distance is gay let alone interested, and it’s a risky game to play, so there is often a lot of tension in several ways’

Gavins art has been exhibited throughout the U.K. including The Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition, Soho House, The ING Discerning Eye, and Christies Lates for Pride.

‘We Laughed’ is a painting about connection and friendships in the queer community. LGBTQ lifestyles are ever evolving. Safe spaces are growing. I found a photograph as the starting point of the painting of a group of friends having fun and sharing open affection. I decided to strip it back so the focus was very much on the people and their interactions beyond their setting. Theyr’e not hiding and they’re not anonymous to one another. It is a painting about hope and friendships.