Roger Hiorns on Crystallization, Politics, and His First Solo Show in Italy

Roger Hiorns (Birmingham, 1975) held his first solo exhibition in Italy, 'The middle door', at C+N Canepaneri in Milan, curated by Stefano Castelli. The show features crystallized canvases, boards, electrical circuits, a cabinet door, a cathedral model, and a radio. Unlike his famous 'Seizure' (2007)—a council flat coated in copper sulfate crystals, shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2009 and now at Yorkshire Sculpture Park—this white-cube presentation appears more conventional. However, Castelli notes that 'the subversion of the canvas is insidiously evident': one canvas was smeared with bovine brain before crystallization. Hiorns discusses his interest in crystallization as a universal natural process that can 'insult' man-made objects and move them toward new states. He sees art as transmitting ideas, breaking conventions, and redirecting paths. He criticizes the market's conservatism and artists who prioritize money over progress. He mentions his role on the Tate acquisitions committee, noting that socially progressive artists are undervalued. Hiorns plans to explore gay sexuality in his upcoming work, moving beyond clichés. He admires Francis Bacon as the last great English painter for his honest portrayal of violence. The exhibition runs until November 22 at C+N Canepaneri, Foro Buonaparte 48, Milan.