Southampton City Art Gallery: New Acquisitions

This display will showcase a selection of the most exciting artworks that have been acquired into the city’s collection since the Gallery closed for refurbishment at the beginning of 2025.Among the works on display will be a sketch by 19th-century French artist Édouard Vuillard, a screenprint by Elisabeth Frink and a series of works by Julian Grater that were acquired after Arctic Mirage, his recent exhibition at the Gallery.From 7 March to 30 May, Ian Giles’ immersive installation Everyone Involved will be on display as part of this celebration of new acquisitions.Originally commissioned by ‘a space arts’, it was shown at God’s House Tower, Southampton, in 2024 and has been acquired by Southampton City Art Gallery with Art Fund support.

Everyone Involved centres around a 4-channel film featuring ‘A Gay Song’, which is heralded as the first LGBTQIA+ protest song recorded onto vinyl in 1972.

In 2024, Giles reformed the original band to re-record the song 52 years after its inception.

The resulting film is shown alongside monumental wall hangings made by the artist from vintage fabrics and found textiles, which he then embellished with hand-painted archival cartoons, highlighting the joyful creativity of the gay rights movement.