A detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of a women stood on a rock 

Painting of a woman in a swimsuit standing on a rock by Laura Lancaster

Strange Powers

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a group of woman sat aand stoof in the sun

Painting of five women in swimsuits by Laura Lancaster

Out of Nowhere

Painting of two women sitting on a rock by Laura Lancaster

Limbs

A detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of a women sat on a rock in alake

Painting of a woman sitting on a rock by Laura Lancaster

Song With No End

a detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of a women sat on a rock

Painting of a woman sitting on rock by Laura Lancaster

Look For You In Everyone

a detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of two women sat in a boat

A painting of two women in a boat by Laura Lancaster

A Different Place

A detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of a woman sat in a tree

Painting of a woman sitting in a tree by Laura Lancaster

Long Time Listener

a detail of a painting by Laura Lancaster of two women holding hands in front of the sea

Painting of two girls jumping rocks by the sea by Laura Lancaster

Just Now

Painting of a woman in a woodland by Laura Lancaster

Wake Up Dreaming

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a woman stood in a lush green landscape

The River

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a figure sat in a red boat on a lake

Dreamer

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a woman stood in a lake

Shaking Through

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a woman in a white dress with her arms outstretched on a green lawn

Fallen Tree

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a locket over a turquoise top

If You Could Talk What Would You Say

 A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the nape of a woman's neck with her hair in a blonde ponytail

Into And Out Again

A detail of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of a women wearing a peach jumper

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a women wearing a peach jumper

Sitting Still

A detail of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of the back of a woman's head

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the back of a woman's head

One By One

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the crop of a woman's flowing hair against a dark background

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the crop of a woman's flowing hair against a darak background

Searcher

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a hand resting on a light material

Harbouring Ghosts

A detail of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of a woman lying on her side

Come Back To Me A While

A bright yellow painting by Rachel Lancaster of a cardigan 

install view of Notes Lie Long by Rachel Lancaster

Notes Lie Long

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a blonde woman's hair braided and backlit 

Closer

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the nape of a woman's neck

Arms Reach II

A detail of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of beige silk bedsheets and pillows

A A detail of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of beige silk bedsheets and pillows of a painting by Rachel Lancaster of beige silk bedsheets and pillows

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of beige silk bedsheets and pillows

Always Returning

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a white duvet 

Witness

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of the crop of a person wearing a knitted jumper

Untitled

A painting by Rachel Lancaster of a shiny red balloon 

Balloon 

Workplace is delighted to announce that Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster will present a two-person exhibition at Baltic in April 2025. 

Remember, Somewhere brings together a major body of works by painters Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster. This is the first institutional presentation of Hartlepool-born sisters’ paintings displayed together and invites an exploration of their unique approaches to painting, through the commonality of their source material.

Laura’s paintings are inspired by found photographs, slides, and cine films of strangers, sourced from online auction sites, flea markets, and junk shops. Through gestural, expressive paint application, she transforms these discarded memories into works that balance abstraction and figuration which elevate the mundane into fragmented, surreal and melancholic visions. Laura’s process-oriented practice creates an ongoing dialogue between painting and photography, emphasising the tension between the physical reality of paint and the images it brings to life.

In contrast, Rachel paints fragments of cinematic imagery, often cropped from stills of 1980s and 1990s films. Focusing on intimate details, such as the nape of a neck or an arm resting on a cardigan, she creates a heightened sense of intimacy through the interplay of light, fabric, skin, hair, and pattern. In her new series of large-scale works, Rachel expands this exploration, merging sensuousness with monumentality, rendering these fragments both descriptive and abstract, suspenseful, and open-ended. Her strategic use of ambiguity creates resonant pauses, allowing emotional undercurrents to surface and find resolution. Through this, she reveals the uncanny beauty and quiet spectacle that exists beyond the action.

Remember, Somewhere spotlights the distinct yet interconnected styles of both artists, encouraging a deeper reflection on the formal language of painting. The exhibition is an exploration of the everyday and the overlooked. It creates an uncanny sense of familiarity by evoking personal memory and collective consciousness, conjuring a moment suspended in time for all who visit.

A painting by Laura Lancaster of a figure stoof in a body of water next to a red canoe

An installation view of Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster's exhibition at Baltic

United Kingdom

Gateshead

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

Laura and Rachel Lancaster present an exhibition showcasing abstract and surreal works. Explore Laura's figure-based art and Rachel's detailed imagery, both rich in tension and ambiguity.

Remember, Somewhere

Laura and Rachel Lancaster in their studio

 produced by Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, we meet Laura and Rachel Lancaster in their shared studio in Newcastle. 

Identical twins and prolific painters, the Lancasters have carved out distinct painting styles and have exhibited nationally and internationally. This exhibition at Baltic will be the first institutional exhibition showing the sisters’ paintings side by side, and the exhibition location, in North East of England, where they were born and still live.

Remember, Somewhere

Video:

Baltic Bites | Laura Lancaster and Rachel Lancaster

Artworks

Related Artists

Rachel Lancaster

Laura Lancaster

London

Newcastle