Bruce Lacey is 80 – a month of celebratory events at Norwich Arts Centre
Robots, sculptures, films, talks and surrealist birthday party from one of the UK’s great eccentrics
He’s worked with The Beatles, The Goons, Ken Russell, The Bonzo Dog Band and many others. Legendary stand-up comedian Lenny
Bruce almost became his manager (and would have been had the American not gone to jail at the time). Fairport Convention wrote a song
about him, he makes robots, films and music but denies that he was the original inspiration for Dr Who.
Bruce Lacey has been making art since the early 1950’s. His work has been exhibited in Tate Britain and The Glasgow Museum of
Modern Art, he appeared in The Beatles film Help! and has made a number of his own films but is perhaps best known for his robots and
absurdist inventions. He now creates and performs music himself, passing his voice through samplers and effects, building loops and
layers enabling him to sing melodies, harmonies and rhythms all at the same time.
Norwich Arts Centre are to host a major retrospective of Bruce Lacey’s work, a Q&A session, film screenings and his 80 th Birthday party as
part of Contemporary Art Norwich 2007
One of Britain’s great eccentric’s Bruce has lived in Norfolk since the late 60’s amongst his collection of sculptures and other artworks.
Perhaps best known for creating absurdist inventions and robots (one which won Andrew Logan’s Alternative Miss World) he has also
been an enthusiastic and much screened experimental film-maker, actor and performer. He was especially pleased when the term
‘performance artist’ entered the vocabulary as he finally realised what he was!
This unclassifiable exhibition, titled My Life In Therapy runs from July 4 – Aug 4, it includes robots, sculptures pictures and films by the
great man. There are also film screenings and a Q&A session.
On July 21 Bruce Lacey celebrates his 80th birthday with a very special evening at Norwich Arts Centre. This will feature a heart stopping
performance from Bruce himself, music from Doom Weasel, Trevor Ash, The SweetBeats, and performances from artists including Andrew
Logan. Bruce’s short films will be shown throughout the night and there will be a surreal fancy dress costume competition with compulsory
participation.
Bruce Lacey is available for selected interviews. Call Steve Forster at SFP for info/extra images etc.
Contemporary Art Norwich 2007 celebrates the depth and breadth of Norwich’s contemporary art scene with exhibitions, off-site
projects, performance, film-screenings, talks and seminars by emerging and established international artists and curators at venues across
the city from 14 July to 31 August.
Listings Info
My Life In Therapy – a retrospective of Bruce Lacey’s Art July 4 – Aug 5 10am – 7pm FREE
Meet Bruce Lacey – Q&A Sat July 14, 2pm – 3pm FREE
Bruce Lacey’s 80th Birthday Happening Sat July 21 7.30pm £10 (concs £8) compulsory fancy dress
Film Screenings Sun July 29 3pm £2.00 - in the company of Bruce Lacey. Featuring:
Every Body’s Nobody (1960) Bruce plays the part of a robot android showing his capabilities.
The Lacey Rituals (1973) Family life with Bruce recording his habitual activities on a daily basis. Going to the lavatory, taking a bath,
waking up in the morning, to Bruce’s children pulling his pants down.
The Preservation Man (1962) A documentary about Bruce directed by Ken Russell.
Norwich Arts Centre, St Benedicts Street Norwich Box Office 01603 660352 www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
Notes to editors
Contemporary Art Norwich 2007 is a partnership between participating venues and organisations: Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts,
EASTInternational at Norwich Gallery and School of Art and Design, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Commissions East, Norwich
Arts Centre, OUTPOST and The Garage; and its investors Arts Council England, East and Norwich City Council.
For more details on Contemporary Art Norwich please visit www.contemporaryartnorwich.co.uk