From Cartoons to Knits: 50 Years of Quiet LGBTQ+ Protest Art

Norwich Castle Museum has opened a new exhibition called 'Kindly Ease The Tension,' which explores how cartoons and textiles have been used as gentle forms of protest, especially in the fight for equal rights. The exhibition focuses mainly on LGBTQ+ issues and features the work of cartoonist David Shenton. Shenton, who is now 77 years old, has spent much of his life creating art that highlights important moments in LGBTQ+ history. He says he never set out to be a protester, but his cartoons and textile pieces have helped people understand the struggles for equality.

One of Shenton’s most meaningful works in the exhibition is the 'Duvet of Love. ' After moving to London during the Aids crisis and feeling very sad, he created this piece as a memorial to friends he lost. The artwork is made from hundreds of colorful button badges pinned onto a black duvet cover, forming a mosaic portrait of two men embracing. Shenton explains that pinning the badges on his duvet was a way to comfort himself and remember those he cared about. Over the years, he has also been inspired by other events, such as marrying his partner and attending Norwich Pride celebrations.

Another notable piece in the exhibition is a hand-knitted scarf that celebrates Justin Fashanu’s famous goal for Norwich City against Liverpool in 1980. The scarf features Fashanu in the center, with text describing the goal and green and yellow tassels representing Norwich City’s colors. Shenton later created a 20-meter banner about the goal after fans requested it, and it was displayed during a Norwich vs Liverpool match in 2020, marking 40 years since the original event. Shenton has worked for publications like Capital Gay and The Guardian and is a patron of Norwich Pride. He wanted the exhibition to be funny but also to show that fighting for equal rights has been hard work. He says people are not asking to be better than others, just to be equal and part of the community. The exhibition runs until January 2027 and includes other stories and knitted banners, such as one with the words 'Kindly Ease The Tension. ' There are also photos from Pride events and people who have contributed to making society more inclusive.