Concordia prof Aaron McIntosh’s The Gloaming explores queer vulnerability in his first Canadian exhibition

This article includes a description of violence targeting LGBTQ2S+ individuals.

Aaron McIntosh, associate professor of fibres and material practices at Concordia, is currently showcasing his latest work, The Gloaming, at Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain in Montreal. The show marks his first Canadian exhibition.

On until March 1, The Gloaming reflects the ever-evolving political and cultural landscape for LGBTQ2S+ communities, presenting a powerful reflection on the fragility of queer rights in today’s climate.

Drawing on his fourth-generation quilting tradition, McIntosh combines textiles and collage to evoke a sense of vulnerability, sexual desire and resistance. The Gloaming — a term for the period between daylight and nightfall — captures a moment of transition, uncertainty and erotic possibility. The works on display explore the complexities of queer identity, examining both the progress and setbacks that have accompanied the visibility of LGBTQ2S+ communities in contemporary society.

“The gloaming has always been a time of uncertainty,” McIntosh explains. “It is in the balance between light and darkness where many queer lives have flourished. But it is also in that space where danger and exposure reside.”

The exhibition focuses on the vulnerability of LGBTQ2S+ bodies, drawing on personal and archival materials to highlight the ongoing challenges faced by these communities. McIntosh’s work critiques “rainbow capitalism” — a market-driven effort to commodify queer identities — while highlighting the emotional and physical toll of heightened visibility.

The darkened, protective surroundings of plants in his collages offer a counterpoint to the brutal realities faced by marginalized communities. Plants such as damask rose, lemon balm and various herbs from historical queer herbalism traditions stand as symbols of resilience, healing and solidarity.

For McIntosh, this series also reflects his personal confrontations with homophobia and the shrinking space for gender and sexual diversity in today’s political climate. He recalls a recent encounter where, while walking in his neighbourhood, a stranger harassed him with homophobic slurs. Similarly, during a visit to New York in the summer of 2024, McIntosh and his partner had eggs thrown at them by teenagers. These harmful encounters are becoming increasingly common for many LGBTQ2S+ individuals, as recent legislative changes in the US and Canada target their rights.

“While the rise of queer visibility might seem like progress, it has also exposed us to new forms of violence,” McIntosh says. “We are witnessing an erosion of rights, where the gains made over decades are being rolled back.”

In addition to The Gloaming, McIntosh is preparing for a solo exhibition in September 2025 at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery. Supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Insight Development Grant, his upcoming project, Hot House/Maison Chaude, continues to explore queer community, plant life and healing practices.

As McIntosh explains: “There will be two community components: a ‘queer compost pile’, made with contributions from across North America, and ‘Exuberant Botanica,’ a collection of real and imagined herbs that promote healing and protection against transphobia, homophobia and structural barriers to queer flourishing.”

As McIntosh explores the intersections of queer identity, material culture and political struggle, his work reflects on the past while calling for action in both the present and future. Through quilts and collages in The Gloaming and plant-based symbolism in Hot House/Maison Chaude, McIntosh seeks to confront and challenge what he describes as the “cultural and political darkening of our times for queer rights.”

Aaron McIntosh’s The Gloaming is on display at Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain, 93 Rachel Street East, until March 1, 2025. An artist talk with McIntosh and August Klintberg (MA ‘08, PhD ‘13) will take place at the gallery on March 1, 4pm-5pm.

Visit McIntosh’s website for more information about his upcoming solo exhibition at Concordia’s FOFA Gallery.