Twenty years in the making, and now that The Oscar Wilde Temple is open to the public for the next six months it has all the strength of a long settling project, revised and perfected many times over. To an absolute amazing achievement. Because this first-ever institutional exhibition of McDermott & McGough at London’s Studio Voltaire gallery, is an homage to the most – no doubts – legendary figure in the gay culture, and LGBTQ+ community battles with rights throughout time, including the AIDS crisis. A costant theme in the over 30 year old art research of the american art duo. Who transforms the Voltaire interiors – a victorian former chapel – in a votive apartment dedicated to the great irish poet, artist and author, with an abundance of period wallpapers, stained glass windows, hangings and 19th century chandeliers and furniture evoking the provocative sensuousness of the decadent era, a time when Willde simply ruled. Becoming, among other things, the king of aphorisms, ransacked for their specific power even in this occasion through a set design that scatters them around the gallery, that includes a series of new paintings and sculptures as well. 

But The Oscar Wilde Temple is more than just an Oscar Wilde well orchestrated hagiography. It is a place of resistance and solidarity with a polytheistic appeal. That honors the contributions of key contemporary LGBTQ+ martyrs whose sacrifice have contributed to pivoltal awareness and change such as Jody Dobrowski, Xulhaz Mannan, Harvey Milk, Marsha P. Johnson and Alan Turing. For the believers there is also the chance to pay respect to those lost in the AIDS crisis in a special chantry, includind a Book of Remembeence, inviting visitors to reflect on departed friends and family, and record their personal stories. Thanks to a program of activities and private events to book. The other side of The Oscar Wilde Temple consist in a series initiatives and private events to book during its entire run like: marriage celebrations, naming ceremonies, vow renewals, memorials and makings of other important occasions. Studio Voltaire will also offer a six-month programme of workshops and mentoring for the young people: partecipants will be mentored by leading artist, writers and designers. Proceeds from private events and donations will support The Albert Kennedy Trust’s programs to prevent LGBT youth homelessness.