STATIC: Contemporary Still Life and Portraiture

An exhibition of work by contemporary artists including Michael Craig-Martin, Denis Darzacq, Ori Gersht, Patrick Hughes, Julian Opie and Alastair Thain.

When we hear the words ‘portraiture’ or ‘still life’ we often imagine paintings of flowers, fruit, a group of objects on a table or a figure returning our gaze. Despite the depictions of life and power represented in many of the paintings that spring to mind, one common element often expected with these genres is an inherent stillness.

Contemporary artists still engage with these genres today, frequently depicting people and objects with the same concerns from the past. However, where we once might have expected stillness, we find movement and flux. This exhibition looks at how contemporary artists are introducing a charge into still life and portraiture.

Dates

Open Mon - Sat 10 May 2008 - 5 Jul 2008

Road Directions

Follow M6 to Junction 31 (signposted Preston)

Follow signs for A59 Preston

Continue up steep hill (Brockholes Brow) and beware speed camera at top (just inside the 30mph zone) and speed cameras further down this road.

At small roundabout carry straight on towards city centre (New Hall Lane)

Continue until you reach a T-junction at traffic lights (opposite Sainsbury's Homebase) and turn right.

Carry straight on through a Pelican crossing and another major set of traffic lights.

Get in left hand lane and turn left for Bus Station car park down Percy Street. Entrance to car park is up a ramp about 3/4 of the way down this road. You are close to ramp entrance when you see the ramp going across the road above you.

If you miss the left turn onto Percy Street there is another one for the same car park at the next set of traffic lights (by Holiday Inn).
Turn left at lights and second left up ramp into car park.

Car park is pay and display.

From car park on foot:

Follow signs to Guild Hall/City Centre.

You will go down an escalator (or use lift)

At bottom of escalator turn 180 degrees and proceed through
Guild Hall shopping arcade (past news kiosk under escalator).

When you reach the Guild Hall exit, you will see the back of the Harris Museum directly in front of you. There are entrances on the right and left hand sides of the building on Harris Street and Jacson Street. When inside, you will find the Museum Office on the first floor. A lift is available.

How to get here from the railway station

There are regular trains to Preston from London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool, East Lancashire and Lancaster etc.

The Harris is a ten minute walk from the station.

Leave the station at the main exit (next to ticket office) and walk up the concourse.

Turn right onto Fishergate.

Carry on straight ahead, crossing Butler Street on your right at the traffic lights.

Continue straight along Fishergate past the shops (Woolworth’s, HMV, M&S etc.) until you reach Boots on the right hand side.

Turn left on to the Market Square and the Harris is straight opposite you.

 Facilities

Provider Preferences

• In town/city centre