Chester Tenneson

Chester Tenneson is a Lecturer in Fine Art at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, where he leads studio practice on the Fine Art & Art History pathway. His research explores queer art practice, institutional critique, and transgender perspectives, often through text-based interventions in painting, sculpture, and performance. He co-founded a Queer Reading & Practice Group to support LGBTQ+ students and allies, fostering community through critiques, film screenings, and exhibitions.

Research Focus

Tenneson’s work interrogates cis-heteronormative systems, using humor and absurdity to highlight institutional norms. His practice spans expanded painting, printmaking, and performance, aiming to provoke engagement with societal tensions. Notable projects include (Un)Defining Queer (The Whitworth, 2023) and Archives at Play (Castlefield Gallery, 2022), which reframe historical narratives through queer and ecological lenses.

Exhibitions & Outputs

Recent exhibitions (2022–2025) emphasize queer curation, community collaboration, and institutional critique, with works featured in venues like The Whitworth, Castlefield Gallery, and the Manchester Poetry Library. Publications include (UN)DEFINING QUEER: Queering the Constituent Museum (2024) and contributions to zine culture.

Awards & Grants

No specific scientific awards or grants are listed, though his work has been supported by institutional partnerships and community initiatives.

Labs & Teams

He leads the Queer Reading & Practice Group, a student-driven initiative fostering queer artistic dialogue and representation.