Bharti Kher
14 September–11 November 2012
EXPOSURE 12 Award
14 September–14 October 2012
Exhibition previews: 13 September, 6:30–9pm
Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art
14 Wharf Road, London, N1 7RW
Admission: free
T + 44 (0) 207 490 7373
Bharti Kher
Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art is delighted to present works by Bharti Kher in her first solo exhibition held in a public art institution in London. The exhibition is composed of a selection of works from the recent past, with an emphasis on the artist’s sculptural works.
Known for her extensive use of everyday, found objects and imaginatively transforming their identity, Kher empowers her often otherworldly creations to present themselves unabashedly as if they were a natural part of our culture and environment. Kher’s work often explores the notion of the self as a multiple, open to interpretation and shape-shifting. Her art practice is intimately intertwined with her life, not only because she borrows motifs and artefacts for her work, but also because she has an inquisitive mind and a strong desire to understand sociological issues. Such characteristics endow Kher’s work with a narrative quality and fascinating interiority of things that frequently contradict her practice of addressing more global and collective concerns. This tension is precisely what leads us more deeply into Kher’s work and world and prompts us to reposition our own relationship to her individual pieces.
Bharti Kher, born 1969 in London, England, now lives and works in New Delhi, India.
The exhibition at Parasol unit is accompanied by a comprehensive publication that includes several insightful essays by Ziba Ardalan, Gayatri Sinha, and Tom Morton, alongside an interview with writer Aveek Sen. The publication will be distributed internationally.
The exhibition is generously supported by Priya & Cyrus Vandrevala and Jolana & Petri Vainio
EXPOSURE 12 Award
The winners of the EXPOSURE 12 Award are Lulu MacDonald, Sean Steadman, Dante Rendle Traynor, all graduates of Slade School of Fine Art, London. Now in its fourth year, EXPOSURE Award is not only recognised as a prestigious prize, but also for providing winning graduates from a British art school the opportunity to exhibit within a professional context.
The EXPOSURE 12 Award is generously supported by:
Arts Council England
The Fenton Arts Trust
Related events
Tuesday 18 September, 7pm
Artist Talk : Bharti Kher in conversation with Shaheen Merali
An opportunity to gain a unique insight into the practice of exhibiting artist Bharti Kher who will be joined by curator and writer Shaheen Merali.
Wednesday 3 October, 7pm
EXPOSURE 12 Award: Panel discussion with the winners from Slade School of Fine Art
EXPOSURE 12 Award winners Lulu MacDonald, Sean Steadman and Dante Rendle Traynor will be in conversation with Slade School of Fine Art lecturer Graham Gussin. (Event kindly supported by Arts Council England)
Free
Tuesday 9 October, 3–5pm
Book Signing Event with Bharti Kher
Exhibiting artist Bharti Kher will be signing copies of her new publication, published by Parasol unit to accompany the current exhibition. Join us for this special event to celebrate Frieze art fair 2012.
Free
Saturday 13 October, 6–9pm
East End Night, in association with Frieze Art Fair
To celebrate Frieze Art Fair Parasol unit will be open for a late night viewing of the current exhibitions.
Free
Thursday 25 October, 7pm
Intercapillary Places: Politics & the Found
Relating to the current exhibition by Bharti Kher, the evening will focus on found material and the politics of writing.
Sunday 28 October, 2:30–4pm
The Big Draw 2012: Along the lines of sound
Family Workshop (suitable for all ages)
Responding to the Big Draw’s theme of line, join artist facilitator Alexandra Hughes for a creative afternoon of drawing, in response to sound and projected images.
Tuesday 30 October, 6:30–8:30pm
The Big Draw 2012: Significant Circles
Adult Workshop
Parasol unit is delighted to host a Big Draw workshop for adults that will reflect upon Bharti Kher’s current exhibition, in particular her borrowing of cultural motifs.
6, 7 & 8 November, 7pm
Parasol unit Film + Video | Screenings
In response to the themes of Bharti Kher’s current exhibition Parasol unit presents a screening series over three evenings, of contemporary moving image works investigating cultural identity.
Sunday 11 November, 2:30–4pm
Sunday Family Workshop: Magical Mythologies
Family workshop with local artist educator Alexandra Hughes, exploring personal identity and cultural backgrounds through clay-modelling. The workshop is suitable for 5–14 yrs.
Parasol unit participates in First Thursdays late-night art and events in East London that take place on the first Thursday of every month. The foundation will be open on the first Thursday of October and November, 6–9 pm.
About Parasol unit
Founded in December 2004, Parasol unit foundation for contemporary art is a registered educational charity in England and Wales and a not-for-profit institution that operates purely for the public benefit. Every year the foundation organises four thought-provoking exhibitions of works in various media by contemporary artists, and also sets up a variety of other artistic projects. Each exhibition is accompanied by a publication and related educational events. The foundation does not bear the founder’s name, and its exhibitions are not derived from the founder’s collection. Admission to exhibitions is free of charge.
Parasol unit operates like publicly funded institutions in London. Currently about 60% of the funding is provided by the founder and 40% through Gift Aid, charitable organisations, private donations and the sale of merchandise. The exhibition space has been put at the disposal of the foundation free of charge by the founder. Thanks to this new model between private funding and public support one of London’s most vibrant contemporary art spaces has come to exist.
Opening hours:
Mondays by prior arrangement
Tuesday–Saturday, 10–6pm
Sundays, 12–5pm
First Thursday of every month, until 9pm
Extended opening hours during Frieze Art Fair, 2012:
Monday 10 October, 10–6pm
Saturday 13 October, 10–9pm
*Image above:
Bharti Kher, And all the while the benevolent slept, 2008. Fibreglass, porcelain, plastic, pedestal in mahogany wood, copper wires. 178.5 x 220 x 121 cm (70¼ x 86½ x 47½ inches). Private collection. Photography: Guillaume Ziccarelli. Courtesy of the artist and Galerie Perrotin, Paris. © Bharti Kher.