Installation view of 《Deodorant Type》© Manchester Art Gallery
This is the first major UK exhibition for korean contemporary
artist, Gwon Osang. 《Deodorant Type:
Sculpture by OsangGwon》 features 14 sculptures by the
artist including a number of new works commissioned by manchester art gallery
for the show. Gwon makes extraordinary life-size sculptures of people using
hundreds of photographic images to build up the surface appearance of his
models, including the face, their hair and their clothes. His skills as
sculptor and photographer combine to make beautifully crafted figures with both
photo-realist and surreal qualities.
A s a starting point for the
exhibition, manchester art gallery invited Gwon to the city for a month-long
residency in 2007. he spent his time in manchester researching people and
places that would act as inspiration for future works.
Installation view of 《Deodorant Type: Sculpture by OsangGwon》 © Manchester Art Gallery
Gwon’s first new work resulting from this residency is a sculpture
of the musician graham massey – best known as a member of
manchester’s electronic pioneers 808 state. This work is being exhibited in the
entrance hall of the gallery together with an exisiting work control. these
works were commissioned for asia triennial manchester 08 and remain on display
until 21 september.
A further five new works by gwon are being displayed in this
exhibition, including a life-size sculpture of a greater manchester mounted
police officer complete with working horse measuring 17 hands.
