POLISH artist Monika Sosnowska, who combines architectural and sculptural elements to create her 3D pieces, is opening an exhibition titled Structural Exercises at Hauser and Wirth London. The exhibition will features seven sculptures across the North Gallery.
Monika Sosnowska, ‘Handrail’ (2016), Façade (2016) and Stairs (2016)
Installation view, Monika Sosnowska. Habitat, The Contemporary Austin, Austin TX 2016 © Monika Sosnowska. Courtesy the artist, The Contemporary Austin and Hauser & Wirth
Photograph: Colin Doyle
Sosnowska uses materials associated with construction, such as concrete, steel beams, pipes and reinforcing rods. The use of these materials specifically shows how objects usually associated with support and rigidity can be manipulated to become independent. She subverts the durability of the materials used for lightness and pliability. Some of the sculptures emerge from the gallery walls, floor and ceilings in a manner that takes into account the viewer’s presence and movement throughout the gallery space. Sosnowska’s interest in construction and architecture comes form her lived experience of the rapid transformation of her home town, Warsaw.
Monika Sosnowska, Handrail (2016) and ‘Stairs’ (2016). Installation view, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, 2017 © Monika Sosnowska Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth. Photograph: Mario de Lopez
Monika Sosnowska, Market, 2013 Painted steel 729.9 x 530.1 x 420.1 cm / 287 3/8 x 208 3/4 x 165 3/8 in Installation view, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis IN, 2016
Courtesy the artist, Foksal Gallery Foundation, The Modern Institute, Galerie Gisela Capitain, kurimanzutto and Hauser & Wirth. Photograph: Eric Lubrick
Monika Sosnowska gained international recognition at the 50th Venice Biennale in 2003. Since then she has exhibited at, among other places, The Contemporary Austin, Fundaçao de Serralves in Porto, Portugal, Ginza Maison Hermès, Tokyo, Japan, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Australia Centre for Contemporary art, Melbourne, Australia. Sosnowska has previously exhibited at Hauser and Wirth’s New York locations in 2010 and 2014.
by Allie Nawrat
Structural Exercises will run from December, 1 2017 to February, 10 2018
Hauser and Wirth London, 23 Savile Row, London, W1S 2ET