Lancaster Uni cleaners have Covid efforts celebrated in mop artwork

Lancaster University’s cleaners have had their Covid-19 cleaning efforts recognised and celebrated in a new piece of artwork. 

Artist José Garcia Olivia created the work with a team of ten Lancaster University cleaners, using mops instead of paintbrushes and mopping on a large canvas on the floor.

José Garcia Olivia told the BBC that at the start of the pandemic, the spotlight of recognition was placed on cleaner’s efforts but “as we slowly emerge into a post-pandemic world this recognition has faded away as fast as squeegee stains vanish on glass”.

It was commissioned by Lancaster Arts and was created in the Library Foyer on February 24th.

Jocelyn Cunningham, Director of Lancaster Arts, stated “José creates a unique opportunity to engage with an often invisible, sometimes undervalued but absolutely critical part of our workplaces. All the more exciting for the chance to do this in the heart of the university – our library.”

The work, entitled “Traces” will be permanently installed in the university’s library.

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