David Gill Gallery in London presents a new body of work by British artist Barnaby Barford, including new ceramics pieces as well as the first showing of his drawings on paper. The exhibition includes a series of animal sculptures – marching in single file across the gallery floor – as well as seven large-scale Word Drawings’, while a second room features animal heads mounted like trophies on mirrors, offering an ominous interpretation of the zoomorphic presence in the exhibition.
The focal point is no doubt the queue of animals, leading towards a life-sized polar bear. The animals that Barford chose for this (an elephant, deer, a hare, among others) are all hunted and somewhat endangered in their habitat. Here, they behave with almost human-like mannerisms in his sculptures, waiting patiently in a queue.
Installation view of 'Me Want Now' at David Gill Gallery
A key to interpret this body of work is offered by the Word Drawings: Barford chose seven words, such as 'change', 'glory', and 'power', which identify ideals to strive for in modern society. ‘They are virtuous words, that have driven humankind to do great things,’ says the artist. But they can easily become warped when repeated incessantly, or exasperated through political propaganda, he explains.
‘It feels that words have never been so important,’ adds Barford, ‘those written in the press, posted across social media and in speeches. In volatile times, words can be dangerous.’ His drawings are a portrait of this exasperation, repeating the words on paper until they overlap to become abstract images. The same patterns from the Word Drawings are reproduced on the ceramic pieces giving shapes to the sculptures.
Barford has spent a year working on this exhibition, during which time political and social developments have changed his perception of the works on display. ‘The political landscape has shifted massively,’ he says, ‘and the title "Me Want Now" took on new meaning.’ Barford’s exploration touches upon themes of dissatisfaction, selfish pursuit and its effects, a sort of ‘empathy fatigue’, as he calls it, which seems to be invading modern society. ‘Although I am influenced by current affairs and politics, I think the inspiration comes from looking at bigger subjects,’ he says. ‘I am using current affairs to explore these themes that are more abstract.’
The exhibition includes Barford's frenetic Word Drawings and animal heads mounted like hunting trophies
Left, a queue of animal sculptures march in single file towards a life-size polar bear. Right, animal heads are mounted on mirror, allowing viewers to see the works from different perspectives
Large-scale frenzied Word Drawings embody 'the chaotic immediacy and almost forceful nature of the "me first" culture', says the gallery
Installation view of 'Me Want Now' at David Gill Gallery
This is the first time that Barford's works on paper are exhibited
Information
'Me Want Now' is on view until 21 December. For more information, visit the David Gill Gallery website
Address
David Gill Gallery
2-4 King Street
London SW1Y 6QP
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
-
Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreamsRow on 5, the first restaurant ever to open on Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fine dining
-
How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
-
Inside Jack Whitten’s contribution to American contemporary artAs Jack Whitten exhibition ‘Speedchaser’ opens at Hauser & Wirth, London, and before a major retrospective at MoMA opens next year, we explore the American artist's impact
-
Frieze Sculpture takes over Regent’s ParkTwenty-two international artists turn the English gardens into a dream-like landscape and remind us of our inextricable connection to the natural world
-
Harlem-born artist Tschabalala Self’s colourful ode to the landscape of her childhoodTschabalala Self’s new show at Finland's Espoo Museum of Modern Art evokes memories of her upbringing, in vibrant multi-dimensional vignettes
-
Wanås Konst sculpture park merges art and nature in SwedenWanås Konst’s latest exhibition, 'The Ocean in the Forest', unites land and sea with watery-inspired art in the park’s woodland setting
-
Pino Pascali’s brief and brilliant life celebrated at Fondazione PradaMilan’s Fondazione Prada honours Italian artist Pino Pascali, dedicating four of its expansive main show spaces to an exhibition of his work
-
John Cage’s ‘now moments’ inspire Lismore Castle Arts’ group showLismore Castle Arts’ ‘Each now, is the time, the space’ takes its title from John Cage, and sees four artists embrace the moment through sculpture and found objects
-
Gerhard Richter unveils new sculpture at Serpentine SouthGerhard Richter revisits themes of pattern and repetition in ‘Strip-Tower’ at London’s Serpentine South
-
Peter Blake’s sculptures spark joy at Waddington Custot in London‘Peter Blake: Sculpture and Other Matters’, at London's Waddington Custot, spans six decades of the artist's career
