Embracing the irreverence, conjuring the subversive and visceral. Impossible Desires is about a South Asian queer expression that ruptures normative understandings of diaspora and queerness. A night of denying ideas of being ‘acceptable’ and ‘respectable,’ and bringing to the centre those who have been marginalised and objectified by mainstream South Asian culture. 

Impossible Desires is a night of unconventional acts of desire, devotion, and disruption. Brought to the fore are the lesser-heard, radical perspectives from disenfranchised, gender diverse, sex worker, and minoritised communities who have long-helmed sites of queer resistance but have been erased or forgotten. 

Featuring the works of Papaphilia, Badgalcovphephe, Salem Serene, INDEX, Mārā Māyā Devi. Impossible Desires will be a fluidly-formed and enrapturing evening of storytelling, a strip stage set, multimedia-DJ performances, freestyle pole and floorwork, endurance performance art; alongside a reading room and restful space curated by anti-caste, anti-racist, trans*feminist art and social space Party Office based in New Delhi, India, which also operates at satellite locations and conceptual architecture. 

This is an evening that honours forms and identities that have been erased, persecuted, coopted, fetishised - and instead, rewrites scripts with reclamation, passion and autonomy. 

Taking over the entire gallery, visitors can move throughout the space to encounter all of the works. 

This program was brought together by the Bollywouldn’t Community Engagement Officer Shareeeka Helaluddin. 

Content Note

Some performance artists will also be sharing experiences of racism, colourism, casteism, religious nationalism, sex work as well as other intersections of their experiences that may have experienced: discrimination, erasure or fetishisation. Artists will also be referencing personal and political experiences where colonialism has violently erased diverse expressions of gender and sexuality within the subcontinent and beyond. Some audience members may find these themes mature, new or unsettling; but the purpose of this curation is to honor the experiences and perspectives of those who have been sidelined by mainstream queer and cultural sites. 

Visitor Information 

We strongly recommend that masks are worn at the gallery during the event. Please bring your own mask; otherwise we can provide you with a disposable mask. Hand sanitisers are available at 4A for your convenience and safety.

A quiet space for sensory recharge, rest and reflection is situated upstairs in the annexe, please ask 4A staff if you need guidance here. There is a slight bump on the floor before entering the annexe, and the narrow space makes it inaccessible for wheelchair users to go completely inside the annexe. 

Refreshments and snacks provided, please note this is a dry event. 

This event is held as part of 4A's Meet me at 4A series and coincides with the exhibition TextaQueen: Bollywouldn't.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the staff at 4A directly, hello@4a.com.au or by calling +61 2 9212 0380