Id, a solo show of new paintings and multi-media works by Turner Prize winning artist Mark Wallinger, opens today at Hauser & Wirth London, with large-scale pieces featuring prominently in both of its Savile Row spaces.
Key to the show is Wallinger’s new body of work: the Id paintings. A series of 17 symmetrical(ish) black acrylic paintings on large white canvases (the width of Wallinger’s arm span and double his height) “only hands” (no brushes) works that suggest to the viewer (or, at least, to this viewer) giant Rorschach Tests and brain scans.
For Wallinger such Freudian fingerings, created over a three month period, were a “purposeful and without end” endeavor and “quite a feeling to ride … living in a not certain moment and not feeling the need to resolve.” Indeed, they do have an in-the-moment feel to them that’s something to behold, especially upon first sight.
Beyond these big black-on-white noodlings, highlights include a cheeky (and really quite engaging) homage to Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam consisting of two iPhone photos taken by Wallinger of his left and right hands; a revolving mirrored sculpture entitled Superego that’s not too dissimilar in the size and shape to London’s well known New Scotland Yard sign; and Orrery, a four-screen video installation made by the artist as he drove round Fullwell Cross roundabout in Barkside filming its centerpiece oak tree during each of the four seasons. Earlier video works – Ever Since and Shadow Walker – are exhibited as well.
Mark Wallinger Id runs until 7 May 2016 at Hauser & Wirth London, 23 Savile Row, W1S 2ET. Find out more at hauserwirth.com.
