Southwark Park Galleries’ 2023 exhibition programme launched in spring with a new immersive and performative installation by internationally renowned choreographer and visual artist Florence Peake. Enveloping both galleries, Peake’s major solo commission presented a body of monumental paintings using her distinctive gestural, and movement marking techniques and a performance work.
Respected for her queer approach and non-hierarchical process, Peake often works with a multitude of diverse collaborators; 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 (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.
This touring commission is made possible with thanks to Arts Council England, Cockayne – Grants for the arts, London Community Foundation and The Paul and Louise Cooke Endowment and Ada’s Circle and sponsored by Harlequin Floors. Development supported by Somerset House Studios, La Becque Résidence d’artistes and Wainsgate Dances.
Performers: Temitope Ajose, Iris Yi Po Chan, Katye Coe, Eve Stainton, Rosalie Wahlfrid, Natifah White
Choreographic support: Eve Stainton
Rehearsal director: Katye Coe
Costume Design: Clover Peake
Producer (Performance): Nikki Tomlinson and performer in the iteration at Fruitmarket, Edinburgh
Studio and Production Manager, Florence Peake: Jim Tuck
Upcoming performances //
Summer 2024
Dates at Towner, Eastbourne to be announced
Previous events //
Saturday 21 October 2023, 11am and 2pm
Performances of FACTUAL ACTUAL at Fruitmarket, Edinburgh
Sunday 22 October 2023, 11am and 2pm
Performances of FACTUAL ACTUAL at Fruitmarket, Edinburgh
Exhibition //
Southwark Park Galleries, London
April - June 2023
Performances //
Southwark Park Galleries, London
15 April, 29 April, 27 May, 10 June 2023
Talk//
Florence Peake in conversation with writer and critic Louisa Buck at Southwark Park Galleries, London
Thursday 18 May 2023
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.
Above images: Florence Peake, FACTUAL ACTUAL Ensemble, installation view at Southwark Park Galleries, London (2023) Performers Temitope Ajose, Natifah White, Iris Chan, Katye Coe, Eve Stainton, Rosalie Wahlfrid. Photograph: Mischa Haller/© the artist