Hany Armanious's 'Stone Soup' at Henry Moore Institute reconsiders failure through polyurethane casts

Hany Armanious presents a solo exhibition titled 'Stone Soup' at the Henry Moore Institute in Leeds, running from July 12 to November 3. The show features polyurethane resin casts of ordinary objects that mimic materials like glass, marble, and duct tape with illusionistic precision. Works such as 'Birth of Venus' (2010) display an empty plinth with a cast duct tape square, while 'Frequently Asked Questions' (2015) presents extinguished candles grouped like séance remnants. Other pieces include 'Image' (2023) with dried leaves in a polystyrene box, 'Moth' (2020) featuring a frayed ping-pong bat on corks, and 'Mumble' (2023) showing crayons swaddled in rope. Armanious's practice probes sculptural language by transforming everyday items through casting, echoing traditions of artists like Vija Celmins and Robert Gober. The exhibition recasts failure as artistic potential, with objects that appear abandoned yet carefully crafted. Titles like 'Want' (2023)—eight makeshift wands on a concrete tray—highlight a playful reorientation of ordinary things. The Henry Moore Institute recently underwent refurbishment and relaunch, providing the venue for this exploration of objecthood and artmaking processes.