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LGBT HISTORY MONTH: New exhibition inspired by Joe Orton to open its doors

Besi Besemar January 31, 2017

Joe Orton
Joe Orton

A new exhibition inspired by the life and work of Leicester-born playwright Joe Orton opens its doors at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in London on Sunday February 5.

The exhibition, titled What the Artist Saw: Art Inspired by the Life and Work of Joe Orton, has been curated by Dr Emma Parker from the University of Leicester School of Arts and Michael Petry, Director of MOCA, and runs until Saturday, March 4.

The exhibition, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the death of Joe Orton and celebrates LGBT History Month, features three artists: painter David Lock (Joe Orton’s nephew), sculptor Louise Plant and performance artist Tim Youd.

During the opening of the exhibition, Tim Youd will conclude retyping Orton’s Complete Plays on a single sheet of paper, a project he began on January 20. 

Orton’s sister, Leonie, will open the exhibition, at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sunday, February 5 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. The VIP guest list includes actors Dudley Sutton and Kenneth Cranham, who knew Orton personally.

The exhibition will transfer to the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester from July 24 – October 22, 2017 and will complement the exhibition Crimes of Passion: The Story of Joe Orton at the National Justice Museum, Nottingham from July 22 – October 1, 2017.

Dr Emma Parker
Dr Emma Parker

Dr Parker said: “This exciting exhibition recognises for the first time the cross-fertilisation of literature and art in Orton’s creative practice; celebrates his artistic impact and legacy; and presents new responses to Orton’s  life and work through visual art.”

For further information about the exhibition ‘What the Artist Saw: Art Inspired by the Life and Work of Joe Orton’, click here:

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