Van Gogh House presents A Clear Comfort, an immersive performance by artist Ian Giles about the homes of queer artists.
Audiences will be greeted with a Lavender cocktail before being taken beyond the physical walls of Van Gogh House and into the homes of iconic LGBTQI+ artists such as filmmaker Derek Jarman and pioneering photographer Alice Austen.
Giles’ expansive and alternative tour of Van Gogh House, the Georgian terrace where Van Gogh lived for a year, will be brought to life by a dynamic group of actors and an original score created with musician Sophie Crawford.
Following the performance the audience will enjoy a special 3-course meal in the house selected by Giles and cooked by local social enterprise and restaurant Cafe Van Gogh. Creating an intimate domestic atmosphere, the table will be set with hand-painted table cloths and edible flowers and leaves grown by Giles will be served.
What's Included?
🌻 Entrance to Van Gogh House
🌻 A Clear Comfort Immersive Performance
🌻 Three course meal
🌻Brixton Gin cocktail
About the Artist
Ian Giles lives and works in London. His performances, filmmaking and social practice create new networks to record and celebrate queer histories and experiences. Upon graduating from the Slade MFA, 2012 he was a LUX Associate Artist. Recent exhibitions, performances and screenings include: ‘A Reflection in Time’ commissioned by MIMA and broadcast on BBC Sounds (2023); The London Open at the Whitechapel Gallery, London (2022); Outhouse at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge & Firstsite, Colchester (2019); Studio Four at OUTPOST, Norwich (2019); Trojan Horse / Rainbow Flag presented by Gasworks at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club, London (2019); After BUTT, NY Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1, New York (2018); Video Club: Sex Talks at Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam (2018) and After BUTT at Chelsea Space, London (2018).
A Clear Comfort is generously supported by Arts Council England and The Elephant Trust
Access requirements
Van Gogh House is a Grade II listed Georgian house with steep stairs and narrow passageways that unfortunately are not fully accessible to all visitors. Please do not hesitate to contact us via email us at info@vangoghhouse.co.uk if you have access related questions about the building. You can also find more detailed information here. Before your visit please consider: The space is small, so we ask that visitors do not come with large bags or are prepared to leave bags in a safe space on the ground floor of the house. Many of the floors are made of original timbers, so we do not permit high heels in the house. We regret that we do not have an accessible toilet at present. There is a toilet available to visitors on the ground floor of the building. There is no age restriction but in the interests of health and safety we ask that children under 12 are accompanied by an adults. We welcome babes in arms. Unfortunately, there are no baby changing facilities on site. If you need assistance at any point during your visit, please ask a member of staff. We are more than willing to help!