The Meet-Cute
Before they were the creative duo known as The Huxleys, Will Huxley was a film school grad just trying to survive the chaos of his early 20s. Working at the ABC in Melbourne back in 2006, Will was in the thick of a messy coming-out journey. He spent his downtime at the local video store, where he caught feelings for a counter clerk named Garrett.
Garrett gave off major Heathcliff vibes—dark, artistic, and gothic. After a chance meeting at a party, the two bonded over their shared obsession with Kate Bush, John Waters, and Cindy Sherman. For Will, who had grown up with a lot of internal shame about his sexuality, Garrett’s confidence was a total game-changer. Garrett didn't even blink when Will would have a few drinks and perform unhinged, improvised stripteases in cheap wigs; he just sat back, smiled, and embraced the chaos.
The Heart of the Matter
By their first Valentine’s Day, the connection was solidified in the most unhinged way possible. Garrett handed Will an ornate box, and inside was a literal cow heart covered in fake blood.
"I felt like Divine... simultaneously appalled and thrilled," Will shared.
It was a vibe check, honestly. Garrett admitted it was a test to see if Will could handle his theatrical, macabre aesthetic. If Will had been spooked, it would have been an L for the relationship. Instead, the gesture perfectly captured their shared love for dramatic art.
Why it matters
Two decades later, the pair is still going strong, building what they call their own "queer utopia." They spend their days creating art, navigating the logistics of inflatable vulva sculptures, and dealing with the everyday drama of fake eyelashes in high winds. You can catch their latest work, the Bloodlines exhibition, at the Brisbane Powerhouse from October 21 to November 8 as part of the Melt festival. It’s giving main character energy, no cap.
