Lynda Benglis | The Hepworth Wakefield
Benglis’ pieces ‘breathe, like an accordion’. (Benglis in discussion with Griselda Pollock, 2015)
I had been highly anticipating this retrospective of Benglis' work for a few months leading up to the launch, so I was thrilled when I finally got the opportunity to head down to the Hepworth and experience what would is a showcase of works that Benglis describes portray ‘feelings of breathing and thinking’ (Beglis, 2015)
The show presents approximately 50 pieces of work spanning her 50-year career.
My initial response is that Benglis truly blurs the lines between sculpture, painting, and that the scale of the works evoked a sense of awe that remained with me throughout the show. This scale simply cannot be comprehended through viewing her works through photographs alone, which adds to the magic of seeing them in life – I urge you to see for these works for yourself.
In particular, the fanned aluminium sculptures are quite deceptive in scale and density.
What excites me about the show is how powerful the representation of Benglis’ desire to experiment with materials. I imagine you could present her with any material in the world, and Benglis would test it to the max, play, and push the boundaries in it’s limitations; so much so that she would thus present us with something surely fascinating, and devious in its form. And actually, this has been put into practice; evident changes in materials reflect Benglis' travels around the world.
Deception in scale, form, state and mass is significant; Benglis has the ability to make solids appear fluid, and the dense seem weightless, delicate.
If any exhibition could inspire you to explore; this is it.
The Lynda Benglis retrospective is on display at the Hepworth Wakefield until Wednesday 1st July 2015.
Sources:
Hepworthwakefield.org,. 'Lynda Benglis | What's On | Hepworth Wakefield'. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.
The Hepworth Wakefield,. Lynda Benglis In Conversation With Griselda Pollock: 6 February 2015. 2015. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.
