Group Exhibition 'Costume: Written Clothing' Explores Artistic Garments as Critical Devices

Curated by Claire Jackson, the exhibition 'Costume: Written Clothing' delves into the significance of costume in performance, sculpture, and imagery, drawing inspiration from Roland Barthes's 1967 notion of 'written clothing.' It showcases works by contemporary artists, including Matthew Darbyshire's 'Standardised Production Clothing Versions 1–10' (2009), Alexis Marguerite Teplin's 'Cuff and Collar' (2010), and Pablo Bronstein's 'Walker' (2010). Additionally, it features Sarah Wright's inkjet prints and Steven Cairns's sculptural collage. Highlights include the costume from 'Think, Think Thingamajig' (2006) by Joanne Tatham and Tom O'Sullivan, as well as Clare Stephenson and Sophie Macpherson's 'Untitled (Tracksuit)' (2012) and 'Untitled (Opera Cloak)' (2012). The exhibition, while showcasing diverse approaches to costume, sometimes lacks thematic unity. This review was published in ArtReview's September 2013 issue.