Autumn 2022“Mischief” at Touchstones this Autumn

American queer feminist artist, Liz Collins, is bringing her first European exhibition to Touchstones Rochdale

Starting on 1 October 2022 and running until 8 January 2023, Mischief will take over all four gallery spaces, exploring the boundaries between art and design through textiles and fibre.

Liz Collins is a Brooklyn based accomplished artist, having exhibited in numerous key galleries across the US. Alongside exhibiting contemporary installations, Liz has also taught in many prestigious US art schools as well as serving as a mentor in the Queer Art Fellowship Program.

The Mischief exhibition, created in collaboration with guest curator Dr Julia Bryan-Wilson, will see immersive installations transforming spaces with intricately hand-stitched wall pieces to industrially manufactured sculptural works. Collins is a master of transforming everyday life inspirations into bold, explosive patterns and colours creating a fun, mischievous aesthetic.

Complementing the Mischief exhibition will be “Queer, People, Places and Things”, an extra special exhibit co-curated by a group of LGBTQ+ Rochdale locals, providing a platform for the voices of queer artists.

Chase Waterman, part of the group involved in the special exhibit, said: “Taking part in the Liz Collins project so far has been a great experience, and my first queer artistic experience of this kind. It’s been inspiring to look at so much art throughout history from queer artists and creators, to learn about their lives and to feel connected to them in such a personal way.

“Weaving my own ideas and personal experiences into the exhibition and collaborating with other LGBTQ artists is a new experience for me and it’s something I’m really enjoying.”

This one-of-a-kind exhibit will include works curated from the Juan Yarur Torres Collection – Fundación AMA in Chile, a leading arts organisation which manages, researches and develops collections of modern and contemporary art by Chilean and South American artists, many of which include a queer aesthetic. The Fundación AMA also provides scholarships and support for emerging artists to undertake international residencies, championing the diversity of Chilean culture and art on the world stage.

Twenty pieces of work, chosen by Collins and Bryan-Wilson, will be shown alongside some significant pieces from the Rochdale borough collections, The Walker Art Gallery, Bolton Museum & Art Gallery, and Whitworth Art Gallery, all presented through a queer lens.

Helen Beckett, Curatorial + Collections Engagement Coordinator at Touchstones, added: “It is really important that the collections and exhibitions at Touchstones reflect the diversity of the borough’s population and we are all too aware that the ‘traditional’ approach to collecting has often left certain groups hidden or even completely erased from historic narratives due to discrimination and prejudice.

“Whilst it’s important that our staff contribute to the process, we can only genuinely reinterpret our collections through collaboration with local LGBTQ+ identifying people, who have ownership over their culture and heritage in order to bring these stories, perspectives and interpretations to light.”

Mischief is at Touchstones from Saturday 1 October 2022 – Sunday 8 January 2023

Touchstones Rochdale offers a wide variety of exhibitions in the Heritage Gallery and the Art Gallery’s four gallery spaces including those from the local community, selections from the borough’s impressive art collection and work by contemporary artists.

As well as the changing exhibitions spaces, there is also a permanent museum which aims to tell a potted history of Rochdale.

The museum is ideally suited to visitors with an interest in the history of Rochdale or families.

There are interactive exhibits, films, audio and objects from the borough’s collection on display.

Touchstones opening times Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade Rochdale, OL16 1AQ Tel: 01706 924492

Admission is FREE