An evening of film, conversation and live performance celebrating the work of musician, painter and filmmaker Gina Birch, including the world premiere of Birch’s short film Paintings.

Since her days at Hornsey College of Art at the dawn of the punk era, says Birch, ‘music, film, and video have been the major creative forces in my life.’ Gina Birch: Cracked Open offers an unparalleled look at how these three strands run through the multifaceted career of an icon and innovator.

The evening begins with On film, featuring screenings of Birch’s experimental shorts Feminist (1977 – 2010), In Love (1978 – 2018), Joanna (1979 – 1980) and Jenny (1991), followed by a conversation between Birch and journalist and academic Lucy O’Brien. If there is a common thread in these films, says Birch, it is that they reflect ‘the situations I found myself in as a young woman newly arrived in London: lonely, scared, adventurous, and with a what-the-hell attitude.’

The evening continues with On music, featuring a selection of Birch’s work as a music video director, including The Raincoats’ Fairytale in the Supermarket (1995), The Libertines’ Time for Heroes (2003), Palma Violets’ Last of the Summer Wine (2013) and New Order’s 1963 (1995).

On art features the world premiere of Birch’s short film Paintings, which includes music by Birch and excerpts from Miranda July’s short story The Metal Bowl.

The evening concludes with a short live acoustic performance by Birch. Details to follow.