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Future Folk Archetypes

  • Start date: 3rd Sep 2024
  • End date: 2nd Nov 2024
  • Portico Library, Manchester
  • Organiser: Lucy Wright
  • Website

Future Folk Archetypes is a newly commissioned trio of works by Lucy Wright re-imagining existing seasonal folk customs as manifestly contemporary beings, whose evolutions represent the diversity of folklore not currently included in the Portico’s collection.

Folk collectors in the nineteenth and early-twentieth century sometimes overlooked or disregarded traditions associated with women and other marginalized people and privileged rural areas over urban ones as the sites of ‘authentic’ folk practices. The industrial northwest, in particular, was neglected by scholars despite being home to a rich and unique folk culture, extending into the present day.

This series of full-size, human-like sculptures deploys the aesthetics of northwest vernacular culture – particularly carnival – to comment on issues of class, ableism and misogyny in the canon of the English folk arts. It asks, what traditions do we want to pass on to the next generation?

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Opening event: 5 September, from 6-8.30pm, with music from Magpahi
RSVP here: / https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/future-folk-archetypes-by-lucy-wright-public-opening-tickets-966332224697?aff=erelexpmlt

For the duration:
Free entry to all
Mon-Wed and Fri: 10am-5pm
Thu: 10am-7pm (unless there’s event on, otherwise open until 5pm)
Sat: 12pm-4pm
The Portico Library, 57 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HY

Lucy Wright is an artist and researcher, currently Visiting Research Fellow in Folklore at University of Hertfordshire.