Event Details

Traces, an art installation created by Lancaster University cleaning staff together with artist José Garcia Oliva, is on display in the library foyer exhibition space.

Traces is a unique art installation created by the University Library cleaners with artist, José Garcia Oliva in a new commission by Lancaster Arts. It was created in February after several months of conversations between the cleaning staff and the artist, who has been working with Lancaster Arts intermittently over the course of the pandemic. Oliva is a Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores identity, labour and cultural heritage.

Supported by the Lancaster Arts team, over 80 cleaners across Lancaster University, together with Oliva created a series of paintings which aimed to make the work of cleaning highly visible.

"Traces captures, visualises and reminds us of the enormous labour cleaners do every single day to keep the world moving." José Garcia Oliva

“The cleaning team do an amazing job in maintaining our stunning library building so we were delighted to be asked to host the workshop to create art that celebrates their contribution.” Phil Cheeseman, Associate Director, Library

Traces is currently to be seen in the Library foyer until 18^th September 2022, after which two pieces will remain on permanent display in the main stairwell.

For further information, please see the artist’s blog on the Lancaster Arts website.

www.lancasterarts.org