Hales is delighted to share Where We Touch the Archive, a national touring exhibition responding to the work of artist Tessa Boffin (1960–1993), whose practice spanned photography, writing, performance and activism, consistently challenging dominant narratives around gender, sexuality and visibility.
On view at Devonshire Collective through 5 September 2026, the exhibition brings together work by Tessa Boffin alongside newly commissioned works by Sophie Mak-Schram and Leah McLaine, developed in direct response to Boffin’s images, pedagogy and politics. Both artists and the curatorial team have been immersed in extensive archival research, drawing on collections held by the University for the Creative Arts, The Estate of Tessa Boffin/The Gupta+Singh Archives and Hales Gallery (London and New York).
Co-commissioned by Devonshire Collective, Aspex Portsmouth, BACKLIT and Photoworks, the exhibition will tour to BACKLIT, Nottingham (18 September – 17 October 2026), Photoworks Festival, Brighton (2 – 18 October 2026), and Aspex Portsmouth (2 December 2026 – 28 February 2027).
Supported by Arts Council England, the Paul Mellon Centre and project partners.
Click here for the Devonshire Collective website.
