About

Although Margate is often seen as a town of leisure, artist Lily Hughes’ experience has been one of constant work, always balancing art-making with a second job — formerly as a cleaner.

This dual life informs her practice; her exhibition “The Cleaner”, now in its third iteration, features ceramic sculptures of cleaning tools and lino-cut posters made during her time as a cleaner, including imagery tied to the physical space of the show and the extensive cleanup of the each Kabinett location, not to mention the constant maintenance.

During her research Hughes conducted a survey of 120 artists who, like her, hold second jobs — 10% of them in cleaning, others in hospitality or education. The overwhelming response was one of financial instability, exhaustion, and emotional strain.

Her work explores the shame many artists feel for not being able to survive on art alone, and the deep frustration of being disconnected from the studio. Cleaning, while menial, became a mental space for her, allowing freedom in its repetitiveness, yet underscoring her invisibility.

This is an annotated version of the full installation. On view at Zwitschermaschine.