In the first of a series of duo shows at The Second Act, Florian Houlker’s renditions of the Accrington brick establish the foundation of a selection of works dedicated to emblems of early and post-industrial devices. 

 

Both artists elevate common objects, often with a playfulness that unlocks the value they hold as storytelling both as devices or metaphors for our social or emotional states.

 

Whilst Sophie’s paintings deal with a broad spectrum of subjects often subverted to create a deviation from their true form; works have been selected for this exhibition that apply this language to articles of working class labour - both pre and post-mechanisation.

 

Florian’s works draw focus to the overlooked skill of working class labour, and the reductive viewpoint of hand-applied craftsmanship used in the everyday.