Ydessa Hendeles: From her wooden sleep…

The ICA is pleased to present “From her wooden sleep…”, a major new work by German-born Canadian artist-curator Ydessa Hendeles.

In “From her wooden sleep…”, Hendeles draws together disparate elements to compose a tightly choreographed tableau vivant. Continuing her daring explorations of psychologically charged cultural artefacts, Hendeles has staged this show to give visitors an unexpectedly intimate encounter with the work’s many suggestive elements.

Central to the installation is a remarkable and unique collection of 150 wooden artist manikins collected by the artist-curator over twenty years. Ranging in date from 1520 to 1930 and in scale from palm-size to life-size, the manikins surround a lone figure that stands exposed in the crossfire of their gaze. The intense focus of the scenario suggests a community gathering—perhaps in a courtroom, or at an auction, anatomy lesson or drawing class. The result is a multi-layered meditation on belonging.

Hendeles is a pioneering exponent of curating as a creative artistic practice. She is renowned for her large-scale, site-specific curatorial compositions. Her exhibitions are wide-ranging but precise, visually arresting and psychologically complex, but readily engaging to the general public. Pieces from the past are repositioned as keys to unlock the present. Blurring the line between collector, curator and artist, Hendeles has fashioned her own distinctive space in the contemporary art world. “From her wooden sleep…” is an extraordinary development in a singular career.

The ICA exhibition is curated by Philip Larratt-Smith.

An illustrated two-volume catalogue will be published on the occasion of the exhibition, featuring an essay by the curator, the artist’s “Notes” on this piece, and a full-colour plate section.