Jeremy Smith’s exhibition brings together the major works developed through his PhD research, a landmark project mapping the temporal, spatial, bodily and psychological terrains of queer life in Sydney. Across large-scale hand-drawn maps, spanning history, neighbourhoods, HIV/AIDS legacies and the contemporary gay psyche, Smith documents the lived experiences, memories and hidden geographies that shape queer community in this city.
Working in ink with meticulous detail, Smith’s drawings transform research, oral history, community consultation and personal narrative into vivid cartographies of queer survival and joy. These maps chart more than streets and timelines, they reveal the emotional and political landscapes that make Sydney one of the world’s most significant queer capitals.
This exhibition forms the public component of Smith’s doctoral project at UNSW Art & Design and coincides with a private PhD examination viewing to be held at Qtopia Sydney later in the year. Together, these presentations mark the culmination of a multi-year research project that positions drawing as a method for preserving queer history, honouring community knowledge and imagining future worlds.
Presented during Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2026, the exhibition celebrates queer resilience and the power of community-led storytelling.