SeaCity Museum puts ‘Iris 02’ by LBGTQ artist in pride of place

16 Aug 2019

‘Iris 02’ by LGBTQ artist Lucy Ash was acquired by Southampton City Art Gallery last year where it was displayed in the gallery’s main hall for Southampton Pride 2018. The artist wanted to demonstrate her gratitude to Hampshire, which had facilitated her artistic education.

‘Iris 02’ will now be proudly displayed at SeaCity Museum this morning ready for Southampton Pride 2019 as part of the Southampton Stories exhibition. In early September 2019 it will then be exhibited at Southampton City Art Gallery as part of a display of recent acquisitions, opening on 7 September.

‘Iris 02’ was part of Lucy’s exhibition ‘Echoes’ which was on display at Turner Sims from 22 January until 16 March 2018 and was a response to the melodies, lyrics and themes of the jazz musician Trish Clowes’ album My Iris. The painting considers the dimensions and symbolism of Iris, the Greek Rainbow Goddess of the sky and the sea, and messenger of the Gods. As a gay artist and activist, Lucy has made sure to connect the rainbow of Iris to the rainbow Pride flag and so consequently, the spots are limited to just the six colours.

Next year for Pride 2020, members of the public will be invited into Southampton City Art Gallery to help paint mini-works for a major collaborative art display that will form part of Lucy’s own art exhibition in the gallery ready for Southampton Pride 2021.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Housing and Culture, said:
“Iris 02’ is as meaningful to Southampton as it is beautiful and we’re proud of how our city embraces and champions its LGBTQ community and is developing its cultural voice. Thank you Lucy for gifting this art to Southampton’s collection, we’re thrilled to put it back on display this week ready for Southampton Pride.
Make sure you pop into SeaCity Museum over Pride and enjoy Lucy Ash’s ‘Iris 02’. We can’t wait to see her exhibition at Southampton City Art Gallery in 2021.”

Share This: