Cuddling for a cause: artist celebrates diversity with LGTBIQ portrait series

Paul Bibby

Everybody loves a cuddle, and in the case of local artist Kia Maddock that love has extended to drawing and painting them.

The Upper Main Arm artist was originally inspired by the campaign for same sex marriage,  producing a series of drawings depicting LGTBIQ couples cuddling each other surrounded by their favourite things.

The cuddle portraits took off, leading to a series of commissions from all kids of different families and couples from across the country.

These portraits now form a central part of Ms Maddock’s new website www.dearkia.com launched late last month.

‘I was feeling compelled to support the Yes campaign, so I just did what I know how, which is to draw a simple portrait of two people who love each other,’ she says.

‘It was a hit, and I was instantly asked to make another five for friends and family members… People just love them’.

Kia was also invited to submit artwork in the ‘Love is Love’ exhibition in Melbourne which is where she exhibited her original cuddle portrait ‘As Long As We’re Together’ featuring a gay couple holding each other.

‘I always love representing diversity in families,’ she says.

‘We live in such an image-heavy culture and I think it does us all good to see real people in real families who are diverse and interesting and lovely.’

For more information, visit Ms Maddock’s website or follow her on Instagram via @dear_kia.