Tony Cragg
Past exhibition
Overview
British sculptor Tony Cragg is one of the most highly acclaimed and influential sculptors of his generation. Having maintained a consistently high international profile since the 1980s his work has contributed significantly to the discourse around contemporary sculpture. At the centre of his sculptural practice is an interest in the relationship between materials, science and the body. For Tony Cragg, Gow Langsford Gallery will exhibit eight works which together typify Cragg's vision and energy toward his materials and its possibilities for stimulating multiple perceptions within a single work.
Dating from 2006 to new works, the chosen works offer Auckland audiences a rare opportunity to understand the artists work in more depth. Highlights of the exhibition include works from his Rational Beings series. Made from bronze, steel or stone, these works are characterised by tall columnar forms created by a complex process of building up circular cross sections on a vertical axis. The resulting effect is a kind of a three dimensional morphing that occurs as the viewer encounters these works from many angles. Curiously, and unpredictably, as the viewer moves around these works profiles appear and disappear. Although appearing initially abstract, they are surprisingly figurative and evocative. The physical presence of these works is remarkable as, although weighing as much as 400 kilos, there is an astonishing fluidity and sense of lyricism in his these works.
Following a successful solo exhibition at Gow Langsford Gallery in 2005, this is only the second time Tony Cragg has had a one man show in New Zealand. Tony Cragg, 2011, is timed to coincide with the first public showing ofClear Glass Stack (1999) as part of the Auckland Art Gallery permanent Collection. This work was acquired by Auckland Art Gallery from Craggs 2005 exhibition. Tony Craggs international accolades include Winner of the Turner Prize (1988), CBE for services to art, the prestigious Piepenbrock Award for sculpture (2002) and the Praemium Imperial (2007). Cragg lives in Wuppertal, Germany and is the Director of the influential Kunstakadamie Dusseldorf.
Dating from 2006 to new works, the chosen works offer Auckland audiences a rare opportunity to understand the artists work in more depth. Highlights of the exhibition include works from his Rational Beings series. Made from bronze, steel or stone, these works are characterised by tall columnar forms created by a complex process of building up circular cross sections on a vertical axis. The resulting effect is a kind of a three dimensional morphing that occurs as the viewer encounters these works from many angles. Curiously, and unpredictably, as the viewer moves around these works profiles appear and disappear. Although appearing initially abstract, they are surprisingly figurative and evocative. The physical presence of these works is remarkable as, although weighing as much as 400 kilos, there is an astonishing fluidity and sense of lyricism in his these works.
Following a successful solo exhibition at Gow Langsford Gallery in 2005, this is only the second time Tony Cragg has had a one man show in New Zealand. Tony Cragg, 2011, is timed to coincide with the first public showing ofClear Glass Stack (1999) as part of the Auckland Art Gallery permanent Collection. This work was acquired by Auckland Art Gallery from Craggs 2005 exhibition. Tony Craggs international accolades include Winner of the Turner Prize (1988), CBE for services to art, the prestigious Piepenbrock Award for sculpture (2002) and the Praemium Imperial (2007). Cragg lives in Wuppertal, Germany and is the Director of the influential Kunstakadamie Dusseldorf.
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