Originally a painter, Frances Disley seeks to expand the gesture of painting into a performance, whilst also creating sculptures and installations. Through her practice, Disley questions how art is displayed, interacted with and the purpose of the space that each artwork inhabits.
Holo Programme 155 is an immersive installation that takes inspiration from two of Disley’s interests: Star Trek and psychology. Collaborating with psychologists at the University of Salford for this work, Disley gained access to research that suggests that guided visualisation can help reduce stress and relieve pain. It also revealed that plants, and colours such as light blue, beige and green, have a positive effect on our brain. Thus the installation consists of these colours to help ease the feelings of anxiety that some people experience in gallery spaces.
The original installation of Holo Programme 155 featured a grid design on the gallery’s walls, designed to mirror the Holodeck in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a transformative space which allows crew members to step into other worlds without leaving their spaceship. For the artist, an exhibition space is a holodeck, transforming to accommodate the vision of the artist on display. For Holo Programme 155, Disley strives to repurpose the gallery as a location for wellbeing and recovery. Disley’s holodeck computer narrates a 20-minute guided visualisation designed to aid wellness. The quilt, displayed as a wall hanging, can be laid out for people to sit on during sessions. While the work employs the language and imagery of self-care and wellness, it also playfully questions the glossy, aspirational vision of wellbeing on social media.
During lockdown, many found solace in art and creativity. When galleries re-open, their purpose and value as spaces to share experiences will become even more important. The Walker Art Gallery intends to have a central role in facilitating the wellbeing of the local community. Holo Programme 155 will create a bridge between the Walker’s painting collection and its growing number of performance and durational pieces. Disley is a Liverpool Biennial Associate Artist, with strong ties to Liverpool, and this acquisition reflects the Walker’s ambition to collect more work by women and support Liverpool-based artists at critical career points.
