The South London Gallery (SLG) unveiled artist Lawrence Weiner’s work, AT A DISTANCE TO THE FOREGROUND, 1999, that’s put in on the gable finish of the SLG’s Hearth Station annexe.
Lawrence Weiner is without doubt one of the most essential artists of his era, recognized because the Sixties for his participating and influential work presenting artwork as a language type. He doesn’t determine himself as a conceptualist however somewhat as a sculptor whose medium is “language + the supplies referred to”. For him, language is a cloth that enables the viewer to have interaction within the which means and intent of his work. In different phrases, the context by which they’re seen by the general public creates the influence on the method of interpretation.
It thus invitations the viewer to be a collaborator within the work course of. The thought of buying the work for the SLG took place earlier than lockdown and social distancing had even been thought of within the UK, so the modern resonance of the work is each coincidental and poignant.
The work has been acquired for the SLG’s everlasting assortment and its set up on the Hearth Station follows that of one other work by Weiner, ALL IN DUE COURSE, that was briefly proven on the façade in 2014 as a part of his solo present on the SLG of the identical title, signalling the transition of the then semi-derelict constructing right into a superbly renovated annexe for the SLG.
All through his profession spanning greater than fifty years, Weiner has had main exhibitions and works acquired for essential museums and galleries all around the world. AT A DISTANCE TO THE FOREGROUND is the primary everlasting public paintings by Lawrence Weiner in London. It has been acquired by the SLG for its modern artwork assortment of some 145 works relationship from 1970 onwards, and was bought with the beneficiant assist of Artwork Fund, Up to date Artwork Society, Candida and Zak Gertler, Marian Goodman Gallery, Alex Hank Assortment Switzerland, the Henry Moore Basis, and Neil Wenman & Jane Carr.
Margot Heller, Director, South London Gallery, mentioned: “I’m actually delighted that we’re capable of unveil this newly acquired work, cementing Lawrence Weiner’s lengthy affiliation with the SLG and bringing the work of an distinctive, influential artist to a really broad public. That is very a lot consistent with Lawrence’s enduring dedication to creating artwork extensively obtainable and interesting. That the well timed acquisition of this specific work marks this second in historical past with such poignancy makes it all of the extra highly effective.”
Images: Andy Stagg
