English artist Hilary Lloyd has opened a new exhibition at Studio Voltaire in London titled 'Very High Frequency,' which reimagines the life and work of playwright and television dramatist Dennis Potter. Through a series of short films featuring Potter's collaborators, including actors Gina Bellman, Alison Steadman, Richard E Grant, and producer Kenith Trodd, Lloyd constructs a theatrical biography that explores Potter's enduring influence. The exhibition eschews traditional formats, scattering monitors and screens in unexpected locations to mirror Potter's own blending of reality and fantasy, and incorporates footage from his iconic works such as 'The Singing Detective' and 'Pennies from Heaven.'
This exhibition matters because it brings a contemporary visual artist's perspective to the legacy of a major figure in British television, highlighting how Potter's innovative use of music, dance, and narrative shifts continues to resonate. Lloyd's approach challenges conventional exhibition-making, forcing viewers to move through the space in new ways and drawing connections between Potter's explorations of class, power, and chronic illness and today's artistic practices. The show also underscores the ongoing relevance of Potter's work in an era when television is again seen as a medium for bold, experimental storytelling.