QUAD is delighted to announce that their next exhibition

QUAD is delighted to announce that their next exhibition, A Gentle Man (Part II) (1975-2029) – A Touring Exhibition by Becky Beasley, will launch on Saturday 14^th March.

This touring exhibition by Becky Beasley will present a pastoral interior landscape featuring a gallery-sized pale green linoleum floor artwork, incorporating a series of inset hand-cut linoleum lake silhouettes. A bespoke décor will transform the length of the gallery into an environment. Adjustable ‘conversation’ or ‘kissing’ benches -designed by the artist- placed around the lakes provide a place to sit and rest.

Beasley’s small ceramic work will sit discreetly on a series of ‘lakes’ tables which mirror the floor designs. Pastel pink linen curtain sculptures, formed in the shapes of the letters, H, S and P, an acronym for Highly Sensitive Person, will swirl slowly in circles on rails. Elongated oak picture-shelves, on which groups of existing and new photographic works lean, will frame the lengths of the gallery.

The exhibition is to include a four-part video portrait of an imaginary figure – a merging of the lives of American novelist and shorty story writer, Bernard Malamud, and the artist’s father. The work is set to explore milestone leaps of faith in life through its four discreet chapters: work, family, chosen family and dying. The film is narrated by British actor, Russell Tovey.

Artist Becky Beasley said:

“Poet Frank O’Hara once said, “Art is not your life. It is somebody else’s.” I love this way of thinking about art, about the chance to find something out about somebody else’s life and, sometimes finding something new, and sometimes finding oneself reflected. I feel like the world needs a ‘Lake Faulkner’, still, calm and opaque, to sit beside right now.

Come and spend some time in this exhibition, sit by the linoleum lakes on the benches I have made, while a while, bring a book, or a friend, or a notebook, or a snack. Download the PDF or Audio Narratives I have written for the show and the works before you come or get them when you are there. Leave me a note at the gallery or send me a message on Instagram if you can. I’d really love to know how it goes.”

A spokesperson from QUAD said:

“Becky Beasley’s A Gentle Man (Part II) (1975–2029) is a quietly poetic and immersive world I’m excited to share. Her linoleum lakes, bespoke benches, audio narratives, discreet ceramics and video portraits invite visitors to slow down, linger and discover something new about the work, about others and sometimes about themselves. I hope it will offer a gentle and reflective experience that resonates with a wide range of audiences.”

Liz Johnson, Midlands Area Director at Arts Council England said:

“Art can provide a vital space for reflection, self-expression and imagination. It gives us an opportunity to discover new things about ourselves, and to connect with others.

“We’re proud to support QUAD in bringing this powerful exhibition to Derby. We hope that people from the city and beyond will visit, be inspired and find calmness, comfort, or whatever it is, that they need.”

 

A spokesperson from the Freelands Foundation said:

“Freelands Foundation is pleased to support QUAD to present Becky Beasley’s solo exhibition A Gentle Man (Part II) (1975-2029). QUAD was shortlisted for the Freelands Award 2023 for its platforming of women artists. Beasley is an accomplished multi-disciplinary artist, educator and advocate, whose practice exploring identity, gender and human sensitivity provide a compelling insight into her lived experiences. We are excited for audiences across the United Kingdom to explore the world that Beasley will create through A Gentle Man (Part II) (1975-2029).”

This touring exhibition has been commissioned by QUAD, Bluecoat and John Hansard Gallery, supported using public funding by Arts Council England and the Freelands Foundation. It will open to the public at 12pm on Saturday 14^th March at QUAD, following an official launch event on Friday 13^th March from 6:30pm. The launch is free to attend and is open to everyone; artist Becky Beasley will be in attendance to show attendees around the work and take questions. More information about the exhibition can be found on the QUAD website.