Shame Parade

Newcastle University Fine Art lecturer Angel Cohn Castle and her artistic partner Davide Bugarin are showcasing *Shame Parade* at the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice, representing Scotland. The exhibition runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, at Olivolo, Castello 59/C, Venice. The duo’s work reinterprets centuries-old European shaming rituals—such as *rough music* and *charivari*—through a contemporary queer and trans lens. It connects Scottish and Filipino histories, using architecture, moving image, sculpture, and performance to challenge notions of public discipline. Their pieces include *A*t *Certayne Tymes*, a fusion of mechanical, anatomical, and vocal elements, and *Submit to Sound*, a moving image work featuring karaoke ballads and songs by Manila-based band Kalye Teresa. The exhibition also features *Nocturnal Amusements*, a sculptural installation that questions societal discretion. Bugarin + Castle’s previous work, like the interactive film *Sore Throat*, explored colonialism and queer spaces in Edinburgh and Manila. Their art is curated by the Mount Stuart Trust and commissioned by Scotland + Venice. The artists describe their work as a response to ongoing debates affecting trans and sex worker communities, often excluded from public discourse. By blending historical and contemporary elements, they create a space where shame, power, and identity intersect without offering easy resolutions. Bugarin + Castle are based in Glasgow and perform in drag through Pollyanna, a Scottish queer arts company. Their exhibition at the Venice Biennale marks a bold fusion of global queer narratives and artistic innovation.