Work No. 660, 2007 via Hauser & Wirth.
On display now at Hauser & Wirth is a collection of new and recent work by conceptual artist Martin Creed. The works were created using simple materials such as paint, boxes, masking tape, and human excrement. Typical of all of Creed’s work it is the materials that inspire and determine the final product. Several new paintings are on display all mirroring each other in that they are all composed of a single color and consist of horizontal brush-marks. The paintings are intended to be a visual homage to the different brush sizes Creed uses and is clearly displayed as the brush-marks decrease in width as they climb the page. Also included is a sculpture made of cardboard boxes that similarly explores size, and a short film that reflects Creed’s interest in producing that shows a woman defecating in an empty room.
Press Release [Hauser & Wirth]
Martin Creed was born in Wakefield, UK and was brought up in Glasgow and studied art at the Slade in London from 1986 to 1990. Some of Creed’s more recognizable works have been neon signs which often use the title of the work to indicate what the sign says. One of these, Everything Is Going To Be Alright (2000) was mounted to the side of Gavin Brown Gallery, New York City; and Work No. 232, the whole world + the work = the whole world (2000), was exhibited on Tate Britain in London. Perhaps further along the conceptual spectrum is the work Creed exhibited for the 2001 Turner Prize show at the Tate Gallery, Work No. 227, the lights going on and off, in which lights literally were turned on and off in a room, which caused some controversy as to what is minimally required to be called art. It nevertheless caused him to win the Turner prize in that year.
Work No. 876, 2008 via Hauser & Wirth.
Work No. 967, 2008 via Hauser & Wirth.
Lights Going On and Off via MOMA.
