Objects of Contemplation
Press Release
Hauser & Wirth London
10 May – 2 June 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday 9 May 2024, 6.30 – 8.30 pm
Featuring Peter Bauhuis, Adam Buick, Helen Carnac, Samuel Collins, David Gates, Akiko Hirai, Marianne Huotari, Konrad Koppold, Deirdre McLoughlin, Richard McVetis, Harry Morgan, Helen O’Shea, Mark Reddy, James Shaw, Romilly Saumarez Smith, Katie Spragg, Derek Wilson, Jane Yang-D’Haene and Jinya Zhao
‘Objects of Contemplation’ celebrates over five years of collaborative exhibitions with artist-makers from across the UK and overseas, spanning disciplines from wood to ceramic, glass, metal, stone and mixed medium. Originally presented in Somerset, the London iteration of the show continues to demonstrate Make Hauser & Wirth’s commitment to contemporary craft and, above all, to the many exceptional individuals who have been at the core of the program since its inception. Curated in dialogue with each other, the 19 featured artist-makers present singular works that exemplify their current practice, characterized by the unique relationship between material and maker, anchored by process and the language of form.
The exhibition includes works by Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Finalists Deirdre McLoughlin and Richard McVetis (2018), Akiko Hirai and Harry Morgan (2019), Peter Bauhuis (2020), Marianne Huotari and Konrad Koppold (2022) and by the many established and acclaimed artist-makers shown in the Somerset gallery and beyond. Harry Morgan’s geometric explorations in concrete and glass and Peter Bauhuis’ works in metal, together, redefine material perceptions and processes. Adam Buick’s interpretations of the traditional moon jar draw on his native geology, whilst Akiko Hirai’s investigations of the form evoke the visceral power of clay. Romilly Saumarez Smith’s enigmatic objects of curiosity are created from rescued treasures, their silent memory retraced, reimagined and transformed. This telling of stories and our connectedness to the past and land recurs as Mark Reddy looks to nature, sourcing found and foraged wood to rework and coax into new forms, whilst Katie Spragg’s porcelain sculptures continue the examination of our relationship with the natural world. James Shaw breathes new life into recycled plastic with playful invention and Helen O’Shea explores the idea of inorganic plastics supporting organic life by combining textile methods with waste materials. Together, this collection of works communicates at a haptic level through an active engagement with the handmade, whilst expanding our understanding and appreciation of material-led practice, innovation and possibility.
About Make Hauser & Wirth
Make Hauser & Wirth is a dedicated space for contemporary making and the crafted object, committed to showcasing some of the world’s best emerging and established artist-makers. Make is a natural extension of the wider Hauser & Wirth gallery ethos, embracing art, craft, gardens, food and architecture. Since launching in 2018 in Somerset, UK, Make has presented work by over 80 artist-makers and provided valuable insights into material-led processes and the rich narratives of their practices. Works exhibited by Make embrace material truth, provenance, sustainability and the value of emotional engagement with the handmade. In addition to a varied exhibition program, Make has hosted practical workshops, discussions and studio visits to expand learning and engagement with makers and craft organizations.
Press Contacts:
Manisha Bhogal, manishabhogal@hauserwirth.com, +44 7917 075313
Laura Cook, lauracook@hauserwirth.com, +44 (0)7920 414 876
Alice Haguenauer, alicehaguenauer@hauserwirth.com, +44 7880 421 823
Hauser & Wirth London
23 Savile Row
London W1S 2ET
Gallery hours:
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am – 6 pm
Copyright and Courtesy Credits:
All images courtesy the makers and Hauser & Wirth.
Derek Wilson, Large Constructed Sculpture I, 2022
Photo: Derek Wilson
Marianne Huotari, Villi kuin lupiini, 2020
Photo: Hanna Kaketti
Akiko Hirai, Moon Jar Blue, 2024
Photo: Dave Watts
Katie Spragg, Quarry clovers, always-alive, euphorbia, 2023
Photo: Dave Watts
Jinya Zhao, Mime, 2024
Photo: Anyan Wu Studio
Peter Bauhuis, Simultanea, 2021
Photo: Gian Paul Lozza
Richard McVetis, Two Cubes, 2024
Photo: Yeshen Venema
Harry Morgan, Untitled V, 2021
Photo: Jakub Taylor
Romilly Saumarez Smith, When Ammonites Ruled, 2023
Photo: Lucinda Douglas-Menzies