Lancaster Arts Unveils ‘Out of Hours’ Exhibition Showcasing Work by University Staff
A new Lancaster Arts exhibition, ‘Out of Hours’, featuring the work of Lancaster University’s dedicated teams of cleaners, porters and security staff, will be launched this evening (April 24).
The collaboration with artist José García Oliva has been developed over a period of four years and challenges established ideas around the recognition of labour, exploring stereotypes and hierarchical structures.
The exhibition, open to the public, will run until May 31 in the Peter Scott Gallery.
José García Oliva is a Venezuelan research-based artist living in London. ‘Out of Hours’ builds on Jose’s previous Lancaster Arts commission, Traces made with the cleaning staff of Lancaster University’s library, back in 2022.
Visitors will be able to hear from José himself at a launch event, open to all, in the gallery on Wednesday, April 24 from 5.30pm.
This is the first opportunity to see the exhibition and reflect on the dynamics between identity, community and the often-unnoticed contributions that shape our existence, before it opens to the public on Thursday April 25.
The launch event will also celebrate the completion of Lancaster Arts’ ‘Chambers of Wonder’ project, that involved a series of workshops bringing local people together to uncover the stories behind the University’s Pilkington’s Royal Lancastrian ceramics collection.
Following the launch event, award-winning choreographer and dance artist, Susan Kempster will perform her latest dance show, Common Ground, in the Nuffield Theatre at 7.30pm, with those attending the launch encouraged to book a ticket via the Lancaster Arts website. Susan will also be speaking at the gallery launch event as well as during a post-show discussion, following her performance.
On Wednesday, May 1, the Peter Scott Gallery will open for a social gathering, ‘Clocking Off Time’, inviting everyone to come along in celebration of International Workers’ Day.
The relaxed social event invites people to meet the artist, enjoy music selected to mark the occasion by Stephan Smith, a Lancaster University cleaner and DJ, and contribute thoughts and ideas to our exploration of labour, visibility and identity. This free drop-in event will run from 5.45pm to 8pm.
The ‘Out of Hours’ exhibition is free to enter and will be open to the public weekdays 11am to 5pm and selected Saturdays from Thursday, April 25 until Friday, May 31. Visit lancasterarts.org for details.