Inside: Artists and Writers in Reading Prison
For 25 years, James Lingwood has served as the director of Artangel, where he has organized a group exhibition at Reading Prison, the site of Oscar Wilde's imprisonment from 1895 to 1897. Titled "Inside: artists and writers in Reading Prison," the exhibition showcases site-specific works by various artists, including Vija Celmins, Rita Donagh, and Steve McQueen, alongside writers like Ai Weiwei and Anne Carson. The pieces explore themes from Wilde's "De profundis," such as love, betrayal, and redemption. Visitors can enter the prison, viewing open cells filled with letters, installations, and audio recordings, including Ai Weiwei's poignant letter to his son. The exhibition is open until December 4, 2016.
Key facts
- James Lingwood curated the exhibition for Artangel.
- Oscar Wilde was imprisoned at Reading Prison from 1895 to 1897.
- The exhibition includes works by 14 artists and contributions from 9 writers.
- Ai Weiwei wrote a letter to his son about his 81-day detention.
- Wilde's cell C.3.3 is part of the exhibition.
- The show runs until December 4, 2016.
- Themes include separation, time, betrayal, redemption, and love.
- Visitors can enter the prison and view cells.
Entities
Artists
- James Lingwood
- Vija Celmins
- Rita Donagh
- Peter Dreher
- Marlene Dumas
- Robert Gober
- Nan Goldin
- Felix Gonzalez-Torres
- Richard Hamilton
- Roni Horn
- Steve McQueen
- Jean-Michel Pancin
- Doris Salcedo
- Wolfgang Tillmans
- Binyavanga Wainaina
- Anne Carson
- Ai Weiwei
- Oscar Wilde
- Lord Alfred Douglas
- Jean Genet
- Pasolini
Institutions
- Artangel
- Reading Prison
- Artribune
Locations
- Reading
- United Kingdom
- Reading Prison
- Forbury Road
- Thames
- New York