SUM: Sarabande Summer Group Show

About

For 11 contemporary artists currently based at Sarabande’s studios in Haggerston, SUM is the culmination of their residency. Represented as an inviting house and lush garden, the exhibition is the quintessential allegory for their time spent together. Through collaboration and cohabitation, they have nurtured and grown their practices as well as their relationships with each other. Over the course of four weeks, the artists welcome the audience into their ‘home’ to see the exhibition and to experience takeovers, performances and family-style dinners. Please see details on artist takeovers below.

A small, white ‘house’ structure and surrounding ‘garden’ will display works that reference either the domestic or nature. A woven entrance by Jia Xi Li will hang from the house’s frame, there will be a bed, hand-painted, embodying the relentless defiance of Iranian women by Laila Tara H, experimental, wet plate photographs by Kasia Wozniak and photo work exploring rhinoplasty in Iran by Shirin Fathi. It will also create a perch for six wearable crows to come to life through the performances of Isabel Castro Jung.

The ‘garden’ will reveal animals drawn and painted by Robert Cooper; tombstones sculpted by Taryn O’Reilly; sumptuous paintings by Fuchsia; a digital well, tucked in the grass, created by Zongbo Jiang; a table with a woven top of hair and leather by Anouska Samms; and a fountain that will gradually erode from the acid held inside it by Urte Janus.

Across the run of the exhibition, residents will hold two food-based events - Spanish food served alongside a performance by Isabel Castro Jung on Saturday 12th August, and a day of traditional Iranian funeral sweets served out of the house by Laila Tara H on Saturday 26th August.

Opening hours are 10am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday (with the exception of Monday 28th bank holiday).

Thursday evenings are extended until 8pm.

If you’re interested in a particular work, you can chat to the artist on their takeover days:

Urte Janus - 11th & 15th August

Kasia Wozniak - 14th August & 1st September

Robert Cooper - 16th & 30th August

Taryn O’Reilly - 17th & 31st August

Shirin Fathi - 18th & 19th August

Laila Tara H - 21st & 22nd August

Jiaxi Li - 23rd & 24th August

Fuchsia - 24th August & 2nd September

Anouska Samms - 25th & 29th August

Isabel Castro Jung - 4th & 5th September

Zongbo Jiang - 6th & 7th September

About Sarabande Foundation

Sarabande was set up by the late designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, who left the majority of his estate to support creative and visionary talent. In addition to providing scholarships and studio space for artists, Sarabande produces a number of events, from the practical to the inspirational.

Sarabande operates from a listed Stable Block conversion in Haggerston, where 15 studios form a creative community with designers and artists from multiple disciplines. Immersed in the hub of East London’s rich creative spirit, Sarabande exudes all that encompasses the creative sphere. The building is home to a plethora of artisans reflecting the multifarious span of Lee’s talent and the variety of craftspeople he worked with his own collections. Amongst others, our tactile artists include sculptors, fashion designers, jewellers, textile designers, painters, performance artists, silversmiths, costume designers, ceramicists, and dancers. Alongside these, Sarabande also houses filmmakers, animators, photographers, digital designers, and visual artists.

Please note that these events are being filmed and photographed for internal and commercial purposes.

Sarabande events are non-refundable and credits from your ticket purchase will be transferred to an event of your choice.

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Please also see our fire evacuation route here, which attendees will be expected to follow in the event of a fire.