

CHETHAM'S
LIBRARY
Includes Performance by Richard Shields: Thursday 18th July at 18:30
ADDRESS:
Long Millgate,
Manchester,
M3 1SB
EXHIBITION NAME:
You Have To Laugh To keep From Crying
ARTIST NAME
Richard Sheilds
EXHIBITION DATES:
15-18 July for a specially curated exhibition.
Chetham's Library is a special place, and this is an ideal opportunity to visit. Richard will be present for the exhibition in The Baronial Hall. See Chetham's website for latest visiting times.
But at time of writing it is on the hour.
PERFORMANCE
‘The Fall Of The Artist” (the Opera) and ‘The Emperor’s New Instagram’
Performance by Richard Shields: Thursday 18th July at 18:30
CONTACT DETAILS:
Tel: 0161 834 7961
VENUE
Website: https://library.chethams.com/
Twitter:
Instagram:
Facebook:
ARTIST
email richartpoorart@gmail.com
mobile 07877024317
https://www.paradise-works.com
http://christbanksartcoffeetables.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.contentsmayvary.org/
SYNOPSIS:
In You Have To laugh To keep From Crying, Richard Shields brings together Tragedy and Comedy in a performance and exhibition scratching at the underbelly of an artist’s life. The trials of selling your art and yourself are manifest and personified in a new series multidisciplinary works featuring drawing, painting, sculpture, an Opera and an Instagram account.
The Performances featuring Alexis Milne (Zinomorph), continue the collaboration with Ludmilla krzak From The Royal Exchange Costume Hire Department. The costumes are a mix of bling sports wear and baroque finery citing Comedia Della Arte and children’s stories. The fusion of historic and contemporary dress echo Shields’ use of found objects and traditional mark making. At the centre of each performance is a mask.
A mask is a lie that enables the wearer to tell truths. The Artist has been wearing a mask of his own face for a series of performances linked to lived experiences. The false face is a paper maché mould of his younger self, cast in 2005.
The mask first helped regale childhood memories of Blackpool. It went on to become a series of alter egos exploring the visual arts landscape, from art sales to historic patronage and social media validation.
VENUE ACCESS:
Access to the historic first-floor library is via a flight of eighteen stairs, and regrettably no lift can be installed.