Phyllida Barlow's 'The Cannibal' at Hauser & Wirth New York

From November 5 to December 22, 2012, Phyllida Barlow, a British artist, showcased her solo exhibition at Hauser & Wirth's townhouse on the Upper East Side of New York City. The display comprised expansive installations crafted from materials such as polystyrene, foam, wire netting, paint, cement, and fabric, resulting in environments that demanded navigation. A key installation, 'untitled: upturnedhouse,' nearly occupied the entire space. The exhibition highlighted anthropomorphic shapes and prioritized the creative process over the finished work, mirroring the debris of post-war London. Born in 1944, Barlow taught for four decades, impacting artists like Rachel Whiteread, while her references drew on figures like Kurt Schwitters and Claes Oldenburg. The reception of the exhibition was mixed, with some works lacking impact.