Untold Lives: a fascinating peek below stairs at a royal palace
Kensington Palace’s new show is a brilliant display of social history shining fresh light on those who have kept such residences running
by Francesca Peacock
It can sometimes feel as though there is no shortage of attention paid to the lives of those who inhabit the nation’s royal residences. But, as this new exhibition at Kensington Palace reveals, there are countless stories of those who have lived and worked “below stairs” that have never been told. Who kept the palaces running, doing everything from helping monarchs dress in the morning to nursing their babies?
Untold Lives: A Palace at Work focuses on the 17th and 18th centuries: through the reign of Charles II, James II and VI, William and Mary, Queen Anne, and into the Georgian Era. It begins with a large portrait of a 96-year-old Bridget Holmes. As the euphemistically titled “necessary woman”, she was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms for all the kings from Charles I to William III.
This is a brilliant display of social history, but its laudable approach causes some difficulties. On more than one occasion, the curators cannot tell the story they want to. Names simply weren’t written down, and figures – particularly black and enslaved people – in portraits remain anonymous. Elsewhere, there are names and hints of stories – a wet nurse’s metal nipple shields – but little else.
In places, the exhibition gets around these gaps in knowledge by commissioning contemporary artists. In one magnificent example, the ceramicist Matt Smith has made a moving sequence of plates to tell the story of Gustavus Guydickens, a Gentleman Usher at Queen Charlotte’s court who was disgraced after he was accused of homosexuality.
That the show left me wanting more detail can hardly be a mark against it. This is a fascinating peek at less-famous royal lives, and gives a new perspective on what goes on behind a palace’s gates. Read the review here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/art/what-to-see/untold-lives-kensington-palace-review/
Renowned for his site-specific installations and explorations of institutional critique, multi award-winning artist Matt Smith employs clay and textiles to challenge historical narratives and reimagine museum spaces. With a keen focus on queer perspectives and alternative histories, Smith's work invites contemplation on movement, displacement, and the construction of identity within cultural institutions.
For EXPO CHICAGO this year we are thrilled to present the artist's most recent works from his 'Family Romance' body of work. Based on a recent installation by the artist 'Untold Lives', now open at Kensington Palace, and inspired by British royal wedding plates, each of these large meat platters commemorates a queer union. These works subvert conventional family narratives, employing object collection to construct substitute family groups. Each platter serves as homage to overlooked histories. Watch video here.
