Two artists named Peter McGough and David McDermott’ created a shrine dedicated to Oscar Wilde the 20th-century poet, playwright and gay rights precursor.
The Temple takes over the space of the contemporary art gallery Studio Voltaire, located in a converted Victorian chapel in London.
The altar features a statue of the poet made in liden wood but the installation also features Victorian Chandeliers, ancient wallpapers and homages to persecuted figures from LGBTQ+ from history, including Harvey Milk, Alan Turing, Marsha P. Johnson and the victims of the AIDS crisis.
The temple is available for private hire, LGBTQ+ weddings, vows renewals, transgender naming ceremonies and more.
McGough and McDermott designed the space to be a temple of love and acceptance. “I thought, let’s give some comfort to my kind and my community,” says McGough, “A celebration of who we are.”
