Performer As Curator: Alison Goldfrapp's Artistic Vision

Confidentials 9 September 2013

ALISON Goldfrapp will take the lead in the first of a new series of annual exhibitions to be held at The Lowry.

Opening on Saturday 19 October, the Performer as Curator exhibitions aim to bridge the gap between the performing and visual arts by inviting critically acclaimed performers to curate exhibitions which reveal their artistic inspirations and icons.

The diverse and high profile selection of works in the forthcoming exhibition will portray her fascination with the macabre face of folklore and fairy tale

Elusive and enigmatic, Alison Goldfrapp is perfectly placed to curate the first exhibition and was described as “a natural first choice” because of “her remarkable synthesis of music and visual imagery” by Michael Simpson, Head of Visual Art and Engagement at The Lowry. Drawing strongly on twisted fairy tale imagery and other subversive narratives, the works will give the public a rare opportunity to explore the personal inspirations which have shaped Goldfrapp’s vision.

Alison Goldfrapp has enjoyed international acclaim with hits such as Ooh La La and Strict Machine as one half of the duo that bear her name. Since their debut album, Felt Mountain, was released in 2000, Goldfrapp have developed an ever-changing chameleon-like quality, exploring different styles and sounds - from haunting, ethereal vocals to scuzzy electro.

What has remained constant, however, is their reputation for spell-binding live performance and fantastic, imaginative costume design. Their immense visual impact is orchestrated by Alison Goldfrapp, an art school graduate, and this style icon status, coupled with an unwillingness to allow public intrusion into her private life, has cemented her status as one of pop music’s most intriguing stars.

The diverse and high profile selection of works in the forthcoming exhibition will portray her fascination with the macabre face of folklore and fairy tale through both traditional and contemporary artworks by internationally renowned artists such as Marcel Dzama, John Stezaker, surrealist painter Leonora Carrington, children’s illustrator Jan Pienkowski and silhouette animator Lotte Reiniger.

The exhibition explores the themes of identity, metamorphosis and transformation which are woven through traditional tales and which have been represented in works of art for centuries.

Michael Simpson explained the impetus behind the exhibition: “The Lowry is a venue that combines major theatres and galleries under one roof, and we value working with dancers, musicians and actors in our galleries, and artists in out theatres. This is an exciting new venture for us and there are more collaborations in the pipeline.”

Goldfrapp’s involvement in this landmark exhibition follows the release of their new album, Tales of Us, which is released on Monday 9 September. This was premiered at Manchester International Festival - our review here.