“Hell Houses” are vehicles that some groups of Evangelical Christians use to demonize what they consider to be sin. Gay and Lesbian folks are a usual target for them.

Kill Joy’s Castle is a response to that by Toronto artist Allyson Mitchell.

“Each Hallowe’en radical evangelical groups all over the USA and Canada build hell houses. Beginning in the 70’s, these performer-animated installations showcase a gruesome retribution for the sins of fornication, abortion, suicide, occultism, and— of course—same-sex relationships. This Hallowe’en Toronto artist Allyson Mitchell reclaims this hellish scenario with her crowd-sourced, lesbian-feminist, queer-fear-fighting celebration Kill Joy’s Kastle: A Lesbian Feminist Haunted House located at 1302 Queen Street West, Toronto.

Wrapping this American Gothic Hell House tradition with yard upon illustrated, elaborately decorated yard of spirited craft aesthetic, Mitchell mobilizes her “deep lez” commitment to radical queer world-making potential. Through it, she conjures new kinds of representations of feminist sexuality and queer concepts of community and activism.

Rug-hooked, crocheted, and paper maché’d constructions are womb-like wonders for visitations of the undead lesbian community, who are hell-bent on remaining nightmarishly non-assimilated. Casting the spells of freaky feminist skill sharing and paranormal consciousness raising together with ghouls, bio-engineered monsters, indoctrinators, and avengers, this hell house is designed to pervert, not convert.”

Kill Joy’s Kastle: A Lesbian Feminist Haunted House runs from October 17 – 30 from 4 – 8 pm (or by appointment). This haunted house— has been nailed, knit, and glued together over the past three months, in line with Allyson Mitchell’s craftivist world-view.

To book viewing appointments or class tours please contact: Emelie Chhangur at Emelie@yorku.ca or Allyson Mitchell at mail@allysonmitchell.com.

There doesn’t appear to be much of a web presence for this and the only info I can find is here. which I assume is the press release? That’s what I quoted above.

If you took these photos please contact me so I can give you credit .A few people sent me this and they came to me uncredited.