Gavin Turk's Solo Show at Galerie Almine Rech, Paris

Gavin Turk's first solo exhibition in Paris at Galerie Almine Rech, from November 5 to December 23, 2005, featured new works exploring signature authenticity and the readymade. The show included pieces like 'Relations' (2005), a large sign with the artist's name in gold leaf, and 'Painted bronze III' (2005), crushed beer cans referencing Jasper Johns. Turk's bronze sculptures, such as 'Conscience' (2005, an apple core) and 'Cup moderne' (2005, a crushed polystyrene cup), play with illusion and material value. The exhibition also presented 'Duck Rabbit' (2005), a giant egg covered in rabbit fur, and 'Gentleman Jim' (2005), an automaton sailor with Turk's features. Turk's earlier work 'Cave' (1991), a commemorative plaque, had caused his degree to be withheld from the Royal College of Art. The show's title 'Ha ha ha!' suggests a playful warning.