Linder Sterling's 50-year retrospective opens at Hayward Gallery in February 2025

Linder Sterling's five-decade survey exhibition opens at London's Hayward Gallery from February 11 to May 5, 2025. The British artist discussed her creative process with ArtReview's Fi Churchman in a studio visit ahead of the retrospective. Sterling emphasized the democratic accessibility of her photomontage technique, noting that basic materials like glue, magazines, and scissors enable image-making without a dedicated studio space. Her workspace features specific tools including preferred scalpels and archival magazines that provide source material. Sensory elements play crucial roles in her practice, with tanpura music and selected perfumes creating an atmospheric environment while vintage publications release evocative odors during manipulation. Sterling's artistic evolution has unfolded alongside media transformations, with her work maintaining potential for rapid idea realization. She cites diverse influences ranging from Salvador Dalí to Aubrey Beardsley, whose enduring appeal recently prompted her return to drawing. The artist also reflected on contemporary themes including witchcraft and deepfakes during the conversation. Her photomontage method represents an economical approach to image creation that bypasses traditional studio requirements.