The Archipelago on Fire

About the exhibition

A very large textile work hung like a medieval tapestry stands high on a wall of the ground-floor gallery. 'L'Archipel en Feu' or 'The Archipelago on Fire' sets the tone for the exhibition, calling for attention to the lamentable state of the nature, the British Isles or any isles, and our Mother Earth. Painted, collaged and embellished with sequins, plastic flowers and other tiny trinkets, the work exudes powerful message with strong colour palette featuring a strange headless human-like figure with multiple legs and arms, burning fire with a mountain of skulls, as well as a young woman's head that has recurrently appeared in some of the artist's textile based works in earlier years.

The space in front of the tapestry is a sea of tall textile hangings with painting of fantastic creatures. It is a sort of three-dimensional maze where audience is invited to stroll. The images of imaginary animals and hybrids of humans and androids inspired by a various mythologies are almost fearful, yet ethereal quality of organdie as the support for the paintings and glimpse of humour contribute to a sense of lightness. When walking in between the paintings hung from the ceiling, audience may feel the very slight breeze made by the gently swaying organdie, a small yet important detail that renders the installation tactile.

Smaller scale paintings complete with found frames adorn the downstairs gallery. Some of the paintings comprised of only simple marks are all the more striking for their very simplicity. Each painting is paired with elaborate, classic frames found in the market; the juxtaposition of old and new, or of intuitively incompatible elements is a display of freedom that Le Bas has constantly demonstrated throughout her career.

All of the works for the exhibition are created during the residency at Paradise in Nantes.

Delaine Le Bas, who is shortlisted for the Turner Prize 2024, will participate in the exhibition of the same title at Tate Britain from 25 September til 16 February.

A major solo exhibition 'Delainia: 17071965 (unfolding)' at Tramway Glasgow continues until 13 October. Le Bas's work will be featured in a group show 'Friends in Love and War' at Ikon Gallery in Birmingham from 2 October to 23 February.

The gallery will be open on Sunday 6 October for the Frieze London East London day. More information to be published at a later date.

A new monograph 'In The Forest of Grief I Grew into a Shrub of Gold' is now available. We also carry special version limited edition copies at the gallery.

Delaine Le Bas (b. 1965, Worthing)

Delaine Le Bas addresses belonging, equality and fairness, nationhood, land, gender and mysticism of nature and human life across diverse media including painting, sculpture, embroidery, installations, performance and literature. Her work is political and social while strongly humane and personal, as the artist's practice reflects her life including her lived experience as a member of Romani community.

Le Bas has exhibited her works extensively both in the UK and abroad. In June 2007, her work was included in the first Roma Pavilion at 52nd Venice Biennale and the Prague Biennale. Her solo show at Secession Vienna (2023) was selected as base for the nomination for the Turner Prize 2024. Le Bas is the subject of a major solo show at Tramway Glasgow (2024). The artist has consistently exhibited works in various exhibitions and events, including MUCEM Marseille (2023), Tate Liverpool (2022), Whitechapel Gallery London (2023), the 11th Berlin Biennale (2020), Harbstsalon, Maxim Gorki Theatre, Berlin (2019, 2017), Roma Pavillion at 58th Venice Biennale (2019), ANTI Athens Biennale, Athens, Transmission Glasgow (2018), 9th Gwangju Biennale (2011), National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Harare (2014), Worthing Museum (2021) and Chapter Cardiff (2010)

Le Bas's works are in the collections of British Council and MUCEM Marseille.