"Size Immaterial: handheld sculpture of the 1990's"
1999-12-07 until 0000-00-00
British Museum
London, , UK United Kingdom

Turning the spotlight on just one kind of art to be found at the Museum, size immaterial displays contemporary handheld sculpture. Works by leading British sculptors is displayed - Bill Woodrow, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Dhruva Mistry to name just a few - several American artists are contributing to the show also including Richard Tuttle. Many beautiful or provocative pieces are currently being made in Eastern Europe where medallic sculpture was used as an expression of protest under Soviet rule, as well as being sanctioned for official purposes.

There are portraits, for example, of modern heroes such as the film directors, Derek Jarman or Andzrej Wajda. Other pieces have strong social and political messages, focussing on issues like nuclear testing in the South Pacific, the collapse of Communism or tolerance of gender difference. Both portraiture and politics are the traditional preoccupations of the medal. Other pieces however have little or nothing to do with medals in either form or function. Some continue to explore the possibilities of cast bronze - works of art rather than acts of commemoration or propaganda. Others are constructed from plastic glass, sand, wood or ceramic. The visual languages employed might be figurative, abstract or even, in the work of the young Dutch sculptor Mirjam Mieras, conceptual.

While the exhibition is running there will be regular opportunities to handle pieces in the collection, behind the scenes. For further information please e-mail lsyson@british-museum.ac.uk

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for United Kingdom

Other Important Exhibitions in London