Down the Hatch
Jo Lathwood

Down the Hatch explores the history and role of women in British pub culture from a queer perspective. Pubs have long been central to communities across the British Isles as lively, intimate spaces that shape the character of our towns and villages. In this newly-commissioned body of work, Jo Lathwood examines the origins of brewing, pub names, and signs, uncovering the hidden narratives behind these familiar symbols.

A key inspiration for the exhibition is the history of the alewives, the pioneering female brewers of medieval Britain. Often depicted in pointed hats, these women were the original alchemists—skilled brewers long before the profession became industrialised and male-dominated, after which their contributions were largely erased from history.

In Gallery 1, Lathwood presents two new large-scale sculptures, which visitors are invited to enter into or walk upon. The first, Another Round, a large upturned cauldron, references both the Somerset tradition of cauldron making and the vessels used by alewives to brew beer. A reimagined traditional alewife ballad plays inside—transformed into a modern electronic sound piece. The second sculpture, Down the Hatch, features a spiral walkway leading to a bubbling film. Shot from above, the footage shows a group of people wearing hats and holding props related to brewing. Their movements mimic the patterns of bubbles in the fermentation process. The structure houses carved, ‘wiggling’ uprights, referencing the sticks historically placed outside pubs to signal a drinking house (the earliest form of pub sign), and the stirring sticks used by alewives to concoct their brew.

In front of the large window in Gallery 1 is an architectural intervention made from recycled materials that serves to control natural light, without the use of plastic vinyl. The screen holds another moving image work showing the artist making a homebrew, while sharing more of her research into the history of brewing. Bunches of dried hops hang in the space, nodding not only to the core ingredient of ale, but also to the original form of the pub sign: a bush or vine. Together, these works pay tribute to the craftspeople who have shaped life in Somerset, past and present, and consider how the traditions of brewing and pubs have evolved in contemporary society. They shine a light on the often-forgotten female figures of British history, celebrating their ingenuity, perseverance, and cultural impact.

The exhibition continues upstairs in Gallery 2, where Lathwood presents a series of research drawings. Also on display are collages made in response to traditional pub signs inspired by the Inn Sign Society archive. Here, Lathwood focuses on images of the bush, the first symbol historically used in pub signage.

Sustainability
‍Jo Lathwood aligns her practice with her own sustainable manifesto, advocating for a new approach to sculpture—one rooted in borrowing, sharing, reusing, and using biodegradable materials. Lathwood prioritises what happens to an artwork at the end of its life. After this exhibition, the works will be dismantled, and all materials will be reused or recycled.

Exhibitions Team
‍George Harwood Smith, Curator; Millie Laing-Tate, Assistant Curator; Lottie Mann, Administration and Evaluation Officer

Technical Support
‍Jon England, Technician; Rupert de Renzy-Martin, AV Technician; James Hankey, Technician

Exhibition Film
‍Jesse Roth, Matchstick Films

Acknowledgements
‍Ali Jones, Alice Cunningham, Amal Khreisheh, Anna Barrett, Christopher Green and the Antique Metalware Society, Dr Amy Burnett, Elizabeth and Richard Lathwood, Emma Gregory, Felix Dobson, Hannah Rose, Holly McGowan Hayes, Jackson Bateman, Spike Island Exhibition Services, Jennifer and Jon Onslow, Johnny Jones, Kathy Hinde, Lucy Badrock, Martin Norman, Inn Sign Society, Nida Arts Colony, Olivia Jones, Paul Blakemore, Rodney Harris, Drop Bear Brewery, Spike Island Studios, Theo Passingham, and Tim Davis.

East Quay and Contains Art CIO
‍The galleries at East Quay are run by a charity, Contains Art CIO (charity number 1193931), which is founded on the belief that who you are and where you live, should not constrain access to creativity and culture. This exhibition is funded with generous support from Arts Council England and the Golsoncott Foundation.

‍Header image: Drawing by Jo Lathwood, courtesy of the artist