Ian Hamilton Finlay's Centenary Shows Provoke Strong Reactions
Ian Hamilton Finlay's centenary exhibition, titled 'Fragments,' is currently on display at Victoria Miro in London, but it’s received some tough criticism from Jonathan Jones, an art critic for The Guardian, who called Finlay an 'idiot.' This show is part of a series of eight exhibitions celebrating the artist's 100th birthday across Europe and New York. Finlay, known for his concrete poetry and his exploration of difficult historical themes, presents a mix of works. The ground floor features optimistic pieces like 'A, E, I, O, Blue' (1992) and 'Blue Waters Bark' (1999), while the upper level dives into the French Revolution with works like 'Head of the Dead Marat' (1991). The exhibition runs from April 30 to May 24, 2025.
Key facts
- Ian Hamilton Finlay's centenary exhibition 'Fragments' at Victoria Miro in London
- Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones called Finlay an 'idiot'
- Eight exhibitions across Europe and New York celebrate Finlay's centenary
- Works on ground floor include 'A, E, I, O, Blue' (1992) and 'Blue Waters Bark' (1999)
- 'Flat Top / Tombstone / Altar A Place / For Light / To Land' (1987) introduces ambiguity
- Upstairs works focus on French Revolution: 'The Medium Is The Message' (1990) and 'Head of the Dead Marat' (1991)
- 'Head of the Dead Marat' reinterprets Jacques-Louis David's 1793 painting
- Centerpiece '12/1794' (1994) features ceramic candleholders with names of revolutionaries like Robespierre and Saint-Just
- Exhibition runs 30 April – 24 May 2025
Entities
Artists
- Ian Hamilton Finlay
- Jonathan Jones
- Jacques-Louis David
- Marshall McLuhan
- Robespierre
- Saint-Just
Institutions
- Victoria Miro
- Guardian
- ArtReview
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Europe