nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow at serpentine gallery

nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow serpentine gallery, london on now until june 13th, 2010

the serpentine gallery, london presents a joint exhibition of the work of contemporary sculptors nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow. their installation includes displays of solo presentations of their art, as well as spaces in which their pieces are positioned to create a dialogue with one another. this show presents two positions on sculpture within the 21st century.

phyllida barlow untitled: balcony 2010 installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti

the work of phyllida barlow (b. united kingdom, 1944), are sculptural installations characterized by their large scale. often made quickly in the same place in which they are being shown, her pieces are constructed from materials that are subsequently recycled for future use. their rawness and less refined appearance expresses the urgency in which they are made.

phyllida barlow untitled: ramp / drums, 2010 installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 © 2010 phyllida barlow photo: raphael hefti

phyllida barlow untitled: double act, 2010 installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti

phyllida barlow untitled: plywood, fabric, timber, plaster, paint, 2007 installation view etc., amagerfaelledveg art project, copenhagen © phyllida barlow

nairy baghramian londoner türsteher (london bouncer), 2010 installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti

berlin-based artist nairy baghramian (b. iran, 2971) is known for her sculptural installations and photographs, which encompass questions of context, institutional framing and the production and reception of contemporary art. it also includes elements of re-worked minimalism, design history and modernist architecture. this is her first exhibition in a major public institution in the UK.

nairy baghramian butcher, barber, angler & others, 2009 (detail) mixed media installation courtesy of the artist and studio voltaire, london © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: andy keate

nairy baghramian klassentreffen (class reunion), 2008 (detail) installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 heins schürmann collection, herzogenrath © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti

nairy baghramian klassentreffen (class reunion), 2008 (detail) installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti

nairy baghramian klassentreffen (class reunion), 2008 (detail) installation view nairy baghramian and phyllida barlow, serpentine gallery, london 2010 courtesy of heins schürmann collection, herzogenrath © 2010 nairy baghramian photo: raphael hefti