Siobhán Hapaska at John Hansard Gallery
John Hansard Gallery presents a solo exhibition by Siobhan Hapaska's (b.1963). This exhibition highlights new a recent sculptural works including: 'Love' (2016), 'Snake and Apple', 'Earthed', and 'Candlewick' (all 2018).
Photo credit: Steve Shrimpton
Across the sculptures on display, Hapaska introduces a diverse array of
materials, including fibreglass, concrete cloth, artificial snakeskin,
aluminium, oak, charcoal powder, wax and brass. Each loaded with history
and multiple readings, these materials are combined in ways that are
surprising: biomorphic forms in concrete cloth reach towards one
another, as if trying to touch; glossy fibreglass apples are constricted
by snakeskin-veneered metal channels; a sanctuary lamp floods the room
with purple light, rotating in a perpetual state of crisis.
Photo credit: Steve Shrimpton
The
ways in which Hapaska's sculptural forms interact or connect can give
her work a powerful sense of duality - we often see two forms of
conflict, distress, desire or compassion. At times, her sculptures touch
upon different belief systems, ideologies or faiths, but never in a way
that is ultimately resolved or redeemed. Rather, we are given an
insight into the combustibility of the human condition, with all its
flaws and contradictions; tenderness and destructiveness.
This exhibition is made possible with support from Culture Ireland as part of their GB18 programme.