Phillips hosts an exhibition of works by celebrated Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos

Joana Vasconcelos, Material Girl, 2015. Image courtesy of Phillips / Phillips.com.

LONDON.- Phillips is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the celebrated artist Joana Vasconcelos at 30 Berkeley Square on view until the end of August. The exhibition, entitled Material World, includes over 40 works of art representing various periods of Vasconcelos’ career to date and coincides with the publication of a monograph on the artist, published by Thames and Hudson. 

Joana Vasconcelos (b. 1971) is known for her sculptures and installations that explore collective identity and consumer culture, using the banality of everyday objects to express often ironic themes and the politics of feminism. She came to international prominence at the 51st Venice Biennale in 2005 with A Noiva (The Bride) (2001-2005), a striking, 5-metre tall chandelier sculpture made with wire, cotton thread and over 14,000 tampons. In 2012, following in the footsteps of Jeff Koons and Takashi Murakami, Vasconcelos hosted a solo exhibition at the Palace of Versailles, France, becoming the only female contemporary artist to do so. 

The exhibition includes a brand new work from the artist’s current series, the Valkyries, which looks to evoke feminine figures of Norse mythology who flew over battlefields to choose which of the slain warriors were worthy of a place in Valhalla, the great hall of Odin where the souls of brave warriors reside. Valkyrie Octopus is currently on exhibition until 31 October 2015 at MGM in Macau, alongside a series of three large-scale floor sculptures from the artist’s Tetris series which are decorated with handmade Azulejos tiles featuring motifs and themes common in Portuguese and Hispano-Moresque tile work. 

Joana Vasconcelos says: “The works chosen for the exhibition look to challenge and transform fragments of the domestic environment into a deep, hedonistic desire to express life. I’m excited to be showing the exhibition in London, and I’m grateful to Phillips for their support and for hosting it at such a great space as their galleries at Berkeley Square.” 

Matt Carey-Williams, Deputy Chairman of Phillips says: “We are honored to be able to support and celebrate Joana Vasconcelos by hosting an exhibition in London this summer. Joana is one of today’s most exciting artists and this will be her first solo exhibition in London since 2012. We are thrilled to be able to give collectors and art enthusiasts the opportunity to come and see her work.” 

Joana Vasconcelos lives and works in Lisbon. After her participation in the 51st International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia in 2005, Vasconcelos’ work became known internationally. Other highlights of her career include Trafaria Praia, project for the Pavilion of Portugal at the 55th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia (2013); and the major solo exhibition at the Château de Versailles (2012). 

Vasconcelos has shown her work in numerous institutions, including Waddesdon Manor - The Rothschild Foundation, Buckinghamshire (2015); Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA), Beijing (2015); the Manchester Art Gallery (2014); Tel Aviv Museum of Art (2013); CENTQUATRE, Paris (2012); Palazzo Grassi, Pinault Collection, Venice (2011); Museu Coleção Berardo, Lisbon (2010); Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow (2009); Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo (2008); The New Art Gallery Walsall, England (2007), CaixaForum, Barcelona (2006); Istanbul Modern (2006); MUSAC, Léon, Spain (2005); Stenersenmuseet, Oslo (2004); MARCO, Vigo, Spain (2003); Műcsarnok, Budapest (2002); Museu da Eletricidade, Lisbon (2001); and the Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves, Porto, Portugal (2000).

fonte: http://artdaily.com/news/80149/Phillips-hosts-an-exhibition-of-works-by-celebrated-Portuguese-artist-Joana-Vasconcelos#.Va4vrflVhBc