The impact of the 70’s punk aesthetic continues to be degraded by un-sympathetic appropriations and corporate tie-ups. Much of Vaucher’s work falls into the punk milieu with stencilled type, newspaper cut-outs, militaristic iconography and lo-fi production techniques. That she was an originator of this style is lost – her work now a part of the generic punk protest language. However, her creativity is much broader and her influence much greater than a mere aesthetic. The power and energy of her work is immediate. But more than that, her practice has evolved and expanded over subsequent decades demonstrating the relevance and potency of her fundamental insights. That she attracts new (post-Punk) audiences, who can have no first-hand understanding of her work in its original social context, shows the power of her message. She demonstrates the potential of creativity to affect real social change and to improve lives. The narrative of her ideas is a positive alternative to the right-wind nationalism of UKIP and Trump. Her design and visual language is the means by which she can persuade and “sell” the alternative. A visual language which incorporates any and all creative channels, communicated with passion, intelligence and humour.
The show itself is ambitious in scale – big INTROSPECTIVE graphics cover the glass front of the building and sweeping gallery walls. The show encompasses painting, drawing, collage, photography, sculpture, poetry, film, performance and language.
As the disenchanted, angry and desperate continue to retrench into the comfort of an old world order that never was, Vaucher offers an alternative set of values. Protest over submission and hope over fear.
Voucher works from Dial House, a 17th century farmhouse near Epping – a self sufficient anarcho-pacifist open-house and creative hub. She publishes books and zines through her own Exitstencil Press. The show runs at Firstsite in Colchester until 19th February 2017.
