4/11/2005
Grace Ndiritu
Delfina, London
The artist is physically present in all the works in the show. This powerful, performative constant forces the viewer to grapple with the artist's concerns, which include the discourses surrounding sexual, political and economic freedoms. In the film 'Time' a faceless Muslim woman moves slowly on the cover of Time Magazine over the headline 'British Hostage Slain'.
Delfina is pleased to present a solo exhibition by British artist Grace Ndiritu. Following her successful shows at the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham and Nuova Icona during this year’s Venice Biennale, she will show three recent video works.
Ndiritu is physically present in all the works in the show. This powerful, performative constant forces the viewer to grapple with the artist’s concerns, which include the discourses surrounding sexual, political and economic freedoms. In Desert Storm, the artist writhes around the floor veiled only by a thin piece of material. Her eyes stare out, just visible, but give little clue as to whether this is a sensual dance or a violent struggle. The ambiguous state of this possible victim refers to the fate of women in war, but also to Ndiritu’s fascination with how knowledge is mediated and constructed in the media. This is made further apparent in Time, in which a faceless Muslim woman moves slowly on the cover of Time Magazine over the headline ‘British Hostage Slain’.
Ndiritu’s provocative films are as wide-ranging in their preoccupation with global politics as they are deeply personal and introspective. The artist cleverly manoeuvres the viewer in and out of her subject matter, using imagery, music and text that is concurrently sensual and familiar, awkward and disturbing. In this way, Ndiritu seems to implicate each viewer individually while simultaneously reminding us of the wider context in which we live, love, work, play and survive.
Grace Ndiritu was born in 1976 in Birmingham, UK and lives and works in London. Recent exhibitions include The Ikon Gallery, Birmingham and Nuova Icona with Ikon during 51st Venice Biennale(2005). In 2007 she will have a solo exhibition at the Chisenhale Gallery, London.
Image: Desert Storm, 2004, video, 5.08 min (sponsored by the Arts Council)
Delfina
50 Bermondsey Street London SE1 3UD
Open Mon - Fri 10–5, Sat 12–4
Closed 18 November