Southwark Park Galleries’ 2023 exhibition programme will launch this spring with a new immersive and performative installation by internationally renowned choreographer and visual artist Florence Peake. Enveloping both our galleries, Peake’s major solo commission will present a body of monumental paintings using her distinctive gestural, and movement marking techniques.
Respected for her queer approach and non-hierarchical process, Peake often works with a multitude of diverse collaborators and part of this commission was collectively developed in a series of public workshops at Southwark Park Galleries in November 2022. Re-interpreting and expanding on a performance at the National Gallery in 2021, this exhibition interrogates what a painting can be, resisting a classical and static tradition, through the movement of the body.
Co-commissioned by Southwark Park Galleries, London, and Towner, Eastbourne, in partnership with Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, where the exhibition will tour later in 2023 and 2024.
This touring commission is made possible with thanks to Arts Council England, Cockayne – Grants for the arts, London Community Foundation, The Paul and Louise Cooke Endowment and Ada’s Circle.
This exhibition is sponsored by Harlequin Floors.
Development supported by Somerset House Studios, La Becque Résidence d’artistes and Wainsgate Dances.
Audio Description //
Performances //
Dilston Gallery: 15 April, 29 April, 27 May (Audio Description 12-1:30pm), 10 June (Audio Description 12-1:30pm). Free, booking required
- Performance times: 12pm & 2:30pm
- Duration 1hr30min
- Strictly no photography or video recording of the performance
- No shoes are permitted, protective shoe covers will be provided.
- The audience will sit within the performance installation on the floor, we have limited seating available but an area is held for those with access needs*
- Please note the performance contains nudity
- Please note the performances on 27 May will be recorded
- The 12pm performance on 27 May and 10 June will have live Audio Description with Shivaangee Agrawal, please book an Audio Description Ticket for this live narration.
- *If you would like assistance with your visit or have access needs please book an Access Ticket and we will be in touch to make sure you have a positive experience.
Performers: Temitope Ajose (@temitope_ajosecutting); Iris Yi Po Chan (@irisypchan); Katye Coe (@katyecoe); Eve Stainton (@evestainton); Rosalie Wahlfrid (@rosaliewahlfrid); Natifah White
Choreographic support: Eve Stainton
Studio and Production Manager: Jim Tuck
Producer (Performance): Nikki Tomlinson
Costume Design: Clover Peake
Audio Description: Shivaangee Agrawal
Events //
Florence Peake in-conversation with art writer and critic Louisa Buck.
Thursday 18 May, 6:30-8pm
Online Broadcast // Florence Peake, FACTUAL ACTUAL
Tuesday 27 June at 7pm
Received Press //
The Art Newspaper, Louisa Buck
Biography //
Florence Peake (b. 1973, based in London) works internationally and across the UK in galleries, theatres and the public realm.
Recent exhibitions and performances have been presented at: British Art Show 9, a Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition shown across 12 venues in the cities of Aberdeen, Wolverhampton, Manchester and Plymouth (2021-22); National Gallery, London (2021); Arsenic Theatre and Sudpol Theatre, Switzerland (2020); 58th Venice Biennale (2019); CRAC Occitanie, Sète, France (2018); London Contemporary Music Festival (2018); Bosse & Baum, London (2019); De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea (2018); Palais De Tokyo, Paris, France (2018); Hayward Gallery, London (2018); Wysing Arts Centre, Cambridge (2017); Studio Leigh, London (2017); Sara Zanin Gallery, Rome, Italy (2017); Serpentine, London (2016); Whitechapel Gallery, London (2016); ICA, London (2016); Modern Art Oxford (2016); BALTIC, Newcastle (2013); Frieze, London (2013); and Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2012).
Peake has an Advanced Teaching Certificate in Skinner Releasing Technique (2011); an MA in Contemporary Performance Making, (Distinction), Brunel University (2007-09); and Diploma in Dance, Lewisham College (1992-94).
Peake is represented by Richard Saltoun Gallery, London.
Download press release (182kb)
Launch Gallery
