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The Romance of Bricks
A 65-minute portrait of the artist Liz Finch. From her life changing accident and rural solitude, to the mad social whirl of 80s London anarchic performances and now the present day - this film by filmmaker Nichola Bruce offers an intriguing glimpse into the artist's private world.
The film features interviews with some of Finch's closest friends and family - and stars from the world of art and performance - who share their stories about the artist's life and work. Contributors include musicians Jools Holland and Richard Strange, artist Brian Clarke, and art historian Martin Harrison.
The Romance of Bricks is a unique record of a remarkable life and Finch's extensive body of work, from early drawings and surreal paintings to figurative arrangements and riotous performances.
Nichola Bruce is a director, writer and producer who works with moving image, as part of a lifelong archive, which informs her larger works. These include experimental, award-winning dramas and documentaries. Bruce was co-director of The Human Face (1990) featuring Laurie Anderson for BBC Arena as well as director of The Monument (1997) with Rachel Whiteread for BBC Arts and I Could Read the Sky (1999) with poet Dermot Healy.
Time Period:
20th century
Themes:
Liz Finch (b. 1951) is a British artist born in Blackburn in the north of England. She studied at Burnley School of Art in 1968 and the North Devon College of Art in Bideford in 1970. She works with a range of media incorporating drawing, painting, poetry and performance. Shows include her unofficial pop-up performance *Crochet Nude *(2005) at Tate Modern, London and *A Strong Sweet Smell of Incense *(2015) at Pace Gallery, London.
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