Laura Ford
dal 14/11/2007 al 11/1/2008
Segnalato da
14/11/2007
Laura Ford
Houldsworth Gallery, London
Disagreeable People. Ford's socially and politically charged figures exist between the realms of fantasy and reality, childhood and adulthood. She works with a variety of materials, often using what is to hand, from fabric and found objects, to more traditional materials such as bronze and plaster.
Disagreeable People
Houldsworth is delighted to present Disagreeable People, a solo
exhibition of new work by sculptor Laura Ford from 16 November 2007
to 13 January 2008 to coincide with her one-person show Rag & Bone,
commissioned by Turner Contemporary Margate. Rag & Bone continues to
the Economist Plaza, London, presented by Contemporary Art Society,
from 7 December 2007 to 1 February 2008.
Ford’s socially and politically charged figures exist between the
realms of fantasy and reality, childhood and adulthood. She works
with a variety of materials, often using what is to hand, from fabric
and found objects, to more traditional materials such as bronze and
plaster.
This latest body of work demonstrates a new development in Ford’s
practice. For Disagreeable People Ford has created a group of
sculptures and drawings based on the children’s stories of Beatrix
Potter. Laura Ford comments on the parallel worlds that exist in our
towns and cities between the shiny spaces of consumerism and the
homeless and disenfranchised who often exist on the margins of these
spaces. By casting these characters from Edwardian children’s tales
in distinctly contemporary, urban situations, the appeal of Potter's
original stories is overshadowed by a darker and more mundane sentiment.
Houldsworth will also be exhibiting small versions, in bronze, of the
critically acclaimed Armour Boys. The larger child-like figures were
presented as solo exhibitions at Royal Scottish Academy 2006, the New
Art Centre 2007, and Harewood House 2007. Whilst the five contorted
figures appear lifeless and discarded, the coats of armour belie
their apparent vulnerability.
Laura Ford came to prominence in British Art Show 5 2000 organised by
the Hayward Gallery, and she represented Wales at 51st Venice
Biennale in 2005. Solo exhibitions include Camden Arts Centre,
Arnolfini, Bristol, Royal Scottish Academy, and Centre of
Contemporary Art, Salamanca. Recent exhibitions also include the
ICA, London, the Aldrich, Connecticut, Miami Art Museum, Hayward
Gallery, and Rohkunstbau, Germany. Her work is in collections of the
Tate, Government Art Collection, New Art Gallery, Walsall, Arts
Council, Museum of Art, Iowa, and David Roberts Collection, to name a
few.
The exhibition at Houldsworth is presented in collaboration with
Turner Contemporary, Margate, the Contemporary Art Society, and The
Economist Group. Supported by Arts Council, England, and Kent County
Council. Rag and Bone essay written by Morgan Falconer, New York.
Forthcoming exhibitions for Ford include Children in Conflict,
Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 24 November 2007 to 17 February 2008;
Sleeping and Dreaming, Wellcome Trust Gallery, London 29 November 07
to10 March 2008; Laura Ford New Art Centre, Roche Court 16 February
to 5 May 2008; and Wanderland at Fundament Foundation, Tilburg 28
June to 28 September 2008.
Laura Ford is represented by Houldsworth, London.
Private View Saturday 17 November 10.30 – 1.00 Vodka & Blinis by
Wódka
Houldsworth Gallery
50 Pall Mall Deposit, 124-128 Barlby Road - London
Free admission