Cornelia Parker monograph explores explosive sculptural practice through personal and political contexts
In the Summer of 2013, a monograph was released that examines nearly four decades of Cornelia Parker's artistic endeavors, beginning with a 1974 drawing of a bird. The publication highlights Parker's insights and the contexts of her work, notably her 1991 installation Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View, which was shaped by IRA bomb threats in London. It narrates her partnership with the military to blow up the shed and her thoughts on the incident. The book also features key pieces such as her 1995 collaboration with Tilda Swinton, The Maybe, her 1996 work The Negative of Words, and Political Abstract (Red and Green) from 2010. Additionally, five thematic essays by Iwona Blazwick and an introduction by Bruce Ferguson enhance the narrative.
Key facts
- Cornelia Parker's artistic practice spans nearly 40 years, beginning with a 1974 foundation course drawing
- The monograph focuses on Parker's own descriptions of her work, providing personal and political contexts
- Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991) features suspended fragments of a blown-up shed
- Parker collaborated with the army to blow up the shed for the 1991 installation
- Living in London during IRA bomb threats influenced Parker's work
- The book includes Parker's 1995 collaboration with Tilda Swinton for The Maybe
- The Negative of Words (1996) is a pile of residue from hand-engraved silver inscriptions
- Political Abstract (Red and Green) (2010) displays fluff collected from the House of Commons and House of Lords
- Five essays by Iwona Blazwick provide critical context on themes like 'The Found Object' and 'Power Structures'
- The monograph includes an introduction by Bruce Ferguson and endorsement by Yoko Ono
- The publication was described as both intimate and expansive
- The article was first published in Summer 2013
Entities
Artists
- Cornelia Parker
- Iwona Blazwick
- Bruce Ferguson
- Tilda Swinton
- Yoko Ono
Institutions
- Whitechapel Gallery
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom