The Huxleys: As Camp as Christmas

About the artwork

With As Camp as Christmas, The Huxleys continue their escalating escapist trip beyond the yellow brick road. Celebrating surrealism and exaggerated glamour, this work brings an androgynous spectacle to the merriment of Christmas.

The Huxleys were determined to make the Yuletide gay. They wanted to bring some joy, humour and queer love to the city. Christmas can so often be focused around the Northern Hemisphere and the The Huxleys wanted to instead celebrate the glory and beauty of Australian flora and fauna. They created costumes evoking an Australian Christmas wonderland.

If you’ve ever wanted to see 2 crocs sharing a prawn cocktail, glittery gumnut babies and kissing emus – then you are in the right place.

Photographic, costume and graphic art by The Huxleys. Shimmer panels and neon LED Flex by Electric Confetti. Hand-drawn illustrations by Manouri Peiris.

About the artists

The Huxleys are a dynamic duo of cataclysmic proportions who present a visual assault of sparkle, surrealism and the absurd. Working across visual art, performance and fashion, their luminescent art traverses the classifications of photography, costume and film. Saturating their practice with a glamorous, androgynous freedom they aim to bring some escapism and magic to everyday life.

The Metro Tunnel Creative Program has collaborated with the Huxleys for the festive seasons in 2022 and 2021, to help bring joy and cheer to the CBD around the Town Hall Station construction site.

Christmas 2022

As Camp as Christmas returned to Fed Square, Scott Alley and Flinders Quarter in 2022, along with events including a silent disco, a movie screening and a parade.

Performers dressed as a glittery crocodile, bird and kangaroo walk down a street

Performers dressed as glittery Australian animals walk down a street

A performer in fluorescent colours walks down a Melbourne city street

Metro Tunnel staff hand out items to the public

A large number of people sit in chairs in the sun at Fed Square

Video: Huxleys bring Christmas spirit to Flinders Quarter

Christmas 2021

As Camp as Christmas premiered at City Square and Scott Alley in 2021, along with event activations including disco carols and a parade.

Disco carols by The Huxleys and friends

People dressed up as a kangaroo and a galah stand in front of the Federation Square Christmas tree

The Huxleys perform in front of their artwork

The Huxleys and performers pose for a photo in Federation Square

A performer with microphone sings in front of the Huxleys artwork

Woman dressed in a glitter body suit singing in front of the Huxley artwork

People in glittery costumes walk across a main road in Melbourne

The Huxleys brought their artwork to life in Melbourne’s CBD with a festive parade that culminated with disco carols in Scott Alley.

The performers were:

Will & Garrett Huxley
Dandrogyny
Holly Durant
Tanzer
Simone Page Jones.

Photos by Theresa Harrison

Video: Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Watch the disco version of this favourite Christmas tune with video by The Huxleys.

Photo shoot at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Photographer Jo Duck captured The Huxleys in costume at the Royal Botanic Gardens.