Wilde is thrilled to announce Per Barclay's fourth exhibition with the gallery, marking his debut in Basel. This new collection offers an in-depth look into Barclay's comprehensive exploration of balance, form, and space through a thought-provoking assembly of sculptures and photographs, each meticulously crafted for the exhibition.
Each piece in the show stands as an individual work while simultaneously contributing to the entirety of the installation. Shaped reminiscently of a house, his sculptures stand as symbols of security, home, and shelter. However, in Barclay's artistic realm, they are portrayed in an 'awkward situation,' suggesting an underlying struggle for balance – a relatable reflection of the trials we face in our personal lives. Recurring elements, such as black rectangular plates teetering on edges and houses precariously poised on corners, emphasize Barclay's continuous quest for equilibrium and perfection.
Barclay's intention to generate complex forms that captivate and subtly unsettle resonates powerfully throughout the exhibition. His unique approach is epitomized in the concept of a 'basin' – a metaphorical symbol encapsulating the exhibition's core theme. Barclay's deft manipulation of scale and perspective in the central gallery results in a larger-than-life installation, magnifying the intensity of the theme. This installation narrates a tale of intrusion, struggle, and perhaps even nuisance, illustrating a striking balance between disruption and harmony.
The top floor provides a pivotal facet of the exhibition. One room houses two works paying homage to Barclay’s oil basin, situated atop the Kunstsilo—an award-winning, repurposed grain silo in Kristiansand, Norway. Poised to become one of Northern Europe's most innovative art institutions, this structure is set to house the world's largest collection of Nordic modernist art. Another room, dedicated to the Gamle Deichman in Oslo—an esteemed library boasting a history of over 200 years and a collection exceeding one million volumes—features a similarly intriguing installation and photograph. The large format photograph provides a bird's-eye view, while the smaller opposite photo reveals the balcony from which the picture was captured. Behind the smaller photograph is a black PVC square, mirroring the material of the oil basins, repeating the theme of reflection in various contexts.
Wilde warmly welcomes you to dive into Per Barclay's cutting-edge exhibition—an intriguing passage through the artist's creative universe. Witness how Barclay transforms the inherent complexities of creation into profound visual expressions.
Per Barclay (b. 1955 Oslo, Norway) represented Norway at the 44th Venice Biennale. This fall, he will mount a solo exhibition at Henie Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. Notable exhibitions include those at Museo Reina Sofia (Madrid, Spain), MoMa PS1 (New York, USA), and Hara Museum of Contemporary Art (Tokyo, Japan). He currently divides his time between Turin and Oslo.
