Gillian Wearing's Guggenheim Retrospective Explores Masks as Trauma and Liberation
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York is hosting Gillian Wearing's retrospective titled 'Wearing Masks,' showcasing more than 100 pieces that delve into the tension between true identity and societal expectations. The collection features various mediums including photography, video, sculpture, and painting. Wearing's early pieces, such as 'Signs that say what you want them to say' (1992–93), helped to establish her acclaim. Notable video works like '2 Into 1' (1997) and 'Sach and Mum' (1996) tackle family dynamics, with the latter causing a viewer to exit due to its graphic nature. The photographic series 'A Woman Called Theresa' (1998) portrays an alcoholic woman. The exhibition will be open until 4 April.
Key facts
- Gillian Wearing's retrospective 'Wearing Masks' is at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York
- The exhibition features over 100 works in photography, video, sculpture, and painting
- It includes early works like 'Signs that say what you want them to say and not Signs that say what someone else wants you to say' (1992–93)
- Video '2 Into 1' (1997) shows a mother and sons lip-synching each other's voices
- Video 'Sach and Mum' (1996) depicts an abusive mother-daughter relationship
- Photographic series 'A Woman Called Theresa' (1998) portrays an alcoholic woman and her lovers
- Later works explore masks as liberating, such as 'Homage to the woman with the bandaged face who I saw yesterday down Walworth Road' (1995)
- The exhibition runs until 4 April
Entities
Artists
- Gillian Wearing
- Marcel Duchamp
- Claude Cahun
Institutions
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Locations
- New York
- United States