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Fine Art lecturer exhibits new work in solo show at OUTPOST Gallery

Lisa Selby’s work explores themes of addiction, mental health and wellbeing, and seeks to support those incarcerated and affected by addiction

    Lisa Selby/bluebaglife exhibition poster
    Lisa Selby/bluebaglife exhibition poster

    Content Warning: References to drug using and paraphernalia.

    An exhibition by BA (Hons) Fine Art lecturer Lisa Selby is currently showing at Outpost Gallery. The artist-led gallery space and studios in Norwich host 11 contemporary art exhibitions each year, of which Lisa’s show Bang Up is one.

    Running until Sunday 3 March, Bang Up incorporates the practice Lisa undertakes with her partner, who is due to be released from prison this April, under the name bluebaglife. As a senior lecturer, an artist and an activist, Lisa’s work is underpinned by her research of addiction, mental health and wellbeing in connections to UK penal systems and support networks. She seeks to support those incarcerated and those affected by addiction.

    She uses documentary modes of production and storytelling through narrative arcs to focus on complicated addictive behaviours found in the struggle, the need to self-medicate and escape. The personal and political is planned out in fragments that have culminated in an exhaustive archive; photographs, telephone conversations, letters, stamps, monologues, diaries of deceased people who suffered with addictions (particularly heroin), court transcripts, surreptitious video footage and interviews.

    Lisa told us: "My work, I think, is a lever for thought and my recent experiences motivate my desire for change."

    Published on 8 February 2019
    • Subject area: Art and design
    • Category: Current students; School of Art & Design