Wolverhampton Art Gallery will be showcasing a new acquisition, an installation by artist Rhea Storr which is her first institutional solo-exhibition.

Subjects of State, Labours of Love (2025) is a two-part film, shot on 16mm film. The works forms an intimate portrait of Caribbean Associations in Wolverhampton from the 1980s onwards, and present-day Sheffield African and Caribbean Community Association SADACCA.

Opening on Saturday 8 March, Subjects of State, Labours of Love is presented as an immersive video installation and exhibition that captures the shared joys, celebrations, struggles, oppressions and complexities experienced by Caribbean heritage communities.

​

The film captures a discussion among key people involved in Black/Caribbean community organising during the 1980s through to the present day in Wolverhampton, a turbulent time marked by race riots in major British cities, the brutal policing of Black communities and the rise of far-right groups like the National Front.

Against this backdrop, Black/Caribbean organisers provided vital community spaces at a time when Black people faced widespread discrimination and inequality in education, housing, and the job market. In the conversation, the members share their experiences of organising, the challenges they encountered, particularly related to British politician Enoch Powell’s lasting racist rhetoric, and the joys of solidarity and community.

The second chapter of the film is an observational portrait of present-day Sheffield and District African Caribbean Community Association, SADACCA. The work highlights how SADACCA, which used to be a manufacturing site, now serves as a valuable resource for the community and a central part of the social fabric of the city. This chapter also looks at the importance of archiving from the perspective of what future generations of Black people living in the UK might need, and how their changing position in UK society influences the viability of the space.

​

Jenny Waldman, Art Fund Director, said: "Rhea Storr’s powerful new work, Subjects of State, Labours of Love, sheds new light on the rich history and important contributions of Caribbean communities in the UK. Commissioning contemporary artists to create new work helps keep museum collections dynamic and engaging. We're delighted to support the commissioning of this new work and its acquisition for Wolverhampton Art Gallery's collection."

Commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella, Site Gallery and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, the commission and its acquisition by Wolverhampton Art Gallery are made possible with Art Fund support. It is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

The exhibition is open from Saturday 8 March until Sunday 8 June 2025 and entry is free, for more information, please visit wolverhamptonart.org.uk.