Ö Engines – Island Engines: Pheobe riley Law Residency Sharing
From 12pm in Space 2 at Humber Street Gallery (upstairs) Pheobe riley Law will be sharing elements of their current project. Expect projections, sound performance, nonhuman-moving objects and a playful conversation about the work. The space is a immersive environment where image, sound, and voice overlap. The audience will encounter a live performance combining spoken word, field recordings, and audio-visual material gathered during research in the Archipelago islands of southwest Finland, including Biskopsö, Långnäs, Hösara, Kasnäs, Dalsbruk, Långön, and Lysholmen.
The exhibition
“Ö Engines – Island Engines” explores the systems that make an island; it’s “engines”. Islands are approached here as living, interconnected worlds in which multiple layers of relation coexist. These include marine processes such as tides, currents, diatom activity and other aquatic life; terrestrial and material conditions such as rocks, moss, and weather; and human and more-than-human presences including radio-towers, boat engines, ants, movement, and memory. These systems are both contained and open, constantly shaping and reshaping one another.
A key focus of the work is the role islands play in supporting marine microbial life, particularly diatoms, microscopic algae that contribute significantly to global photosynthesis. Responsible for producing an estimated 20% of the planet’s oxygen, roughly one in every five breaths, these organisms form the foundation of complex marine ecosystems. Through the installation, Phoebe seeks to communicate the delicacy and significance of these often-unseen systems, inviting curiosity about their presence and influence in the world. The work reflects on how perception shifts when we are situated within the context of island landscapes, and how practices of listening, attentiveness, and curiosity can become ways of understanding ecological relationships and our place within them.
The installation series continues from Pheobe’s previous work, Vegetal Empathy, a performative installation that explored the concept of speculative gardens and the ways in which we curate and shape nature. Building on these investigations, “Ö Engine – Island Engine” expands the scale of inquiry, shifting from the structured environment of the garden to the broader ecology of the island. Rather than examining how humans attempt to control nature, the work considers the spaces in which nature contains us, framing the island as an ecological machine whose boundaries, systems, and relationships shape human and non-human life alike.
Accessibility
Is Humber Street Gallery wheelchair accessible?
Yes. You can access every part of the gallery without steps. The entrance is level with the street, and there’s a lift to all floors, including the rooftop.
Do you have accessible toilets?
Yes. We have one all-gender accessible toilet on the ground floor with grab rails and emergency pull cords.
Can I bring my assistance dog?
Absolutely. We welcome guide dogs, hearing dogs and other trained assistance animals throughout the building.
Do you provide large print or accessible exhibition guides?
Yes. We offer large print as standard and Dyslexia-friendly versions of exhibition texts. You can pick them up in the gallery or download them from the exhibition pages of our website.
Is there somewhere quiet I can go if I need a break?
We know the gallery can sometimes feel busy or overwhelming. Ask a member of staff and we’ll help you find a quieter space to take a moment.
Do you offer sensory-friendly experiences?
Some exhibitions include sensory content and we have regular quiet hours. We also have ear defenders available to borrow at the front desk. If you need anything specific, get in touch before your visit. You can find details of our noisy and quiet hours at the top of this page.
Is there Blue Badge parking nearby?
Yes. There are Blue Badge parking bays on Humber Street and surrounding roads, just a short distance from the gallery.
Are your events and workshops accessible?
We aim to make all events as accessible as possible. Access details vary depending on the activity, so check individual listings or contact us with any questions.
What if I have an access need that’s not listed here?
We’re happy to chat and find ways to support your visit. You can call us, email us or drop in for a conversation.
