In partnership with the Crafts Council.
The Theatrical exhibition at 99 Bishopsgate presents Ovonlen’s Ballets Russes silks, inspired by the avant-garde ballet company of the same name. Founded in Paris in 1909 by Sergei Diaghilev (Russian, 1872–1929), with many costumes and sets designed by Léon Bakst (Russian, 1866–1924), the Ballets Russes transformed the future of ballet by bringing together dancers, composers, choreographers, artists, all who stepped beyond pushing the boundaries of their individual respective art forms to create spectacular and astonishing performances.
Over a period of nine months during 2021, Ovonlen created these monumental textiles featuring imagery and characters originating from his interest in visualising the sensory experience of music, costume, and performance.
His practice begins with research and drawing, creating studies which he then translates across to the medium of textile design and hand-crafted print techniques. Using the silk screen itself as a playful and experimental surface, the artist is pushing the boundaries of printed textile production and developing a unique language of drawn and painted imagery; silk screen printed onto hand dyed silks.
Ovonlen’s large-scale textile and paper work is celebrated across two exhibitions, Botanical and Theatrical, at 99 Bishopsgate and Aldgate Tower respectively, both on view June 20 to September 25, 2022.
Special thanks Ella Ritchie MBE, Director Intoart.
About The Brookfield Properties Craft Award:
This is one of the most significant craft prizes in the UK. The Brookfield Properties Craft Award recognises an artist who significantly contributes to the story of contemporary craft and making in the UK.
As part of the Award, Brookfield Properties acquires some of the winning artist’s work, which they then donate to the Crafts Council Collection, the UK’s foremost collection of contemporary craft, which currently holds over 1,700 objects. The winning artist of the award, selected in conjunction by Crafts Council and Brookfield Properties, also receives a solo exhibition at a Brookfield Properties space. The inaugural award in 2020 was won by Matt Smith, with Anna Ray winning in 2021. Christian Ovonlen is the third recipient of the award.
‘We're looking for something that inspires the community within our buildings as well as people on the streets of London,’ says Brookfield Properties Curatorial Director, Saff Williams.
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