The South London Gallery (SLG) is set to host “Jumbled Alphabet,” the first major solo exhibition by acclaimed Iranian-born artist Nairy Baghramian in a London institution in 14 years.
The exhibition, which opens to the public on September 27, 2024, and runs until January 12, 2025, promises to be a groundbreaking showcase of Baghramian’s sculptural prowess and conceptual depth.
Baghramian, who has been at the forefront of contemporary sculpture for over two decades, is known for her innovative approach to form, material and space. The artist, who fled post-revolutionary Iran as a teenager and has been based in Berlin since 1984, has consistently pushed the boundaries of sculptural practice, engaging with themes of functionality, decoration, abstraction and feminism.
“Jumbled Alphabet” will span both SLG sites, featuring sculptures from Baghramian’s 2021 “Misfits” series and a new collaborative body of work. The exhibition’s centrepiece, “Misfits,” challenges the conventional notion of children’s building toys by celebrating imperfection and non-conformity. These sculptures, crafted from materials such as marble, wood, metal and resin, disrupt the idea of perfect fit, instead embracing the beauty of mismatched elements.
Margot Heller, SLG Director, said, “Baghramian’s work invites viewers to reconsider their sense of self, space, and relationship to objects. Her sculptures, while appearing abstract at first glance, often evoke parts of the human body, hinting at joints, gestures, limbs, skin and teeth.”
The exhibition will also debut a series of hybrid sculptures created through a collaborative process with other artists. These works play with the concept of hand-me-downs and the creative potential of assembling mismatched parts, further exploring themes of outsiderhood and the value of imperfection.
In a unique interactive element, the exhibition will feature an evolving drawing created by children visiting the SLG throughout its run, embodying the spirit of playful collaboration that characterises Baghramian’s approach.
Baghramian’s impressive career includes participation in prestigious events such as the Venice Biennale, Documenta 14 and Skulptur Projekte Münster. Her recent solo exhibitions at the Aspen Art Museum, Nasher Sculpture Center and Carré d’Art in Nîmes have cemented her status as one of the most important sculptors of her generation.
The South London Gallery invites art enthusiasts, critics and the general public to experience this transformative exhibition, which is set to spark conversations about form, function and the beauty of imperfection in contemporary art.
