It’s Turned Out Nice Again

Situated within the historic Portview Trade Centre on the Newtownards Road and using the mill’s architecture as a backdrop, Belfast based artist Thomas Wells creates a love letter to his working class Mancuian roots, exploring familial relationships, gestures of affection and the influence of pop culture. Taking its title from the 1941 song by Northern English actor and singer George Formby (a title that would become synonymous with him and the North West of England. It’s Turned Out Nice Again is a fixed installation on view to the public throughout the duration of the festival, with a live performance by Thomas on Wednesday 20th November.

Thomas Wells (he/they) is an artist and curator from Manchester. Living and working in Belfast since 2017, their work is based in socially engaged practice involving LGBTQ+ spaces of collective experience. Their most recent work includes Mantle (2024) as part of the Catalyst Arts 30th Anniversary, Never getting much use out of a chair (2024) The MAC, Belfast, and Neverlandz (2023) Outburst Queer Arts Festival. Thomas is founder of Queer Arts publication SAM’S EDEN, and a member of Turner Prize Winners Array Collective.

This new work has been made possible with the support of the Outburst Arts / Jerwood Arts Artist Development Programme, Portview Trading Estate and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as part of the the Artist Career Enhancement Scheme 2024.