Robert Morris at Monika Sprueth Philomene Magers, London, 26 Jun - 29 Aug

Exhibition Description:

The gallery presents a new body of work by the American artist Robert Morris (b. 1931), one of the most important American artists of the post-war generation. His groundbreaking oeuvre ranges from minimal sculpture to conceptual art and performance.

Morris' works are like monuments for the victims of the 'war on terror', timely sculptures that can be seen as modern cenotaphs, public monuments erected in the memory of victims of war and other political disasters. Morris differentiates between the individual qualities of the feeling of terror, and manages to transform its abstract character into a palpable, real experience.

The political urgency of this series however does not override the formal rigour and the art historical references manifested in the work. Morris' sculptures are deeply informed by the legacy of historical sculpture such as Renaissance church portals and particularly Auguste Rodin's 'The Gates of Hell'. He includes the American flag as a reference to the work of Jasper Johns who was an important early influence for Morris.

Description:

Image: Robert Morris
Normal Terror, 1987-2008
Wood, encaustic, cast fiberglass, lead jacket
213,36 x 121,92 cm
84 x 48 inches

Morris' new work includes a series of sculptures which originates from a period of 27 years and consists of four wall-mounted reliefs entitled 'Morning Terror', 'Evening Terror', 'Normal Terror' and 'Standard Terror'.

Full Contact Details:

Monika Sprüth Philomene Magers London
7A Grafton Street
London, W1S 4EJ
Great Britain
phone +44(0)207-4081613
fax +44(0)207-4994531
london (at) spruethmagers.com

opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm
and by appointment