Untitled (Titled), 2014 - photo by Stuart Whipps
In my latest blog
entry for Ohh Deer, I attend the opening of Modern Art Oxford’s highly
anticipated exhibition of new and iconic works by Barbara Kruger. The
internationally acclaimed artist brings her signature lexicon of monochrome
words and imagery to the historic city - a coup for a gallery beyond London’s
Zone 1, let alone the M25. In addition to Kruger’s seminal ‘Paste-ups’ from the
Eighties and video works that have never previously been exhibited in the UK,
Modern Art Oxford is privileged to present a breathtaking site-specific
installation in its Upper Gallery.
Barbara Kruger: WE ARE NOT WORTHY @mao_gallery #Oxford. #allhail pic.twitter.com/scQxJmGc7C
— Jonathan Velardi (@JMVELARDI) June 27, 2014
Kruger’s practice
may resonate with today’s digital culture of endless self-promotion and
commodification, however these very themes were being explored at the beginning
of her career and before the age of the internet.
Barbara Kruger @mao_gallery #art #text #emoji #highlife https://t.co/D7eiYcSR34
— Jonathan Velardi (@JMVELARDI) June 27, 2014
Popular culture is central to
Kruger’s manifest – identity, power, consumerism and sexuality contribute to a
provocative body of work that is as potent today as it was over three decades
ago.
Read my full review Words of Art on the Ohh Deer blog.
cornered | Barbara Kruger @mao_gallery pic.twitter.com/8N3fDSDGjj
— Jonathan Velardi (@JMVELARDI) June 27, 2014
Barbara Kruger runs to 31st August 2014
Twelve, 2004 - photo by Stuart Whipps
Visit
jonathanvelardi.com/writing for a selection of my published writing and follow
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design.
Images courtesy
of Modern Art Oxford
