Feature: The Big Picture - Exhibition - The Shape We’re In

Published: 10 March, 2011

THE Shape We’re In is an exhibition in three parts taking place in three locations: the former Methodist chapel at 176 Prince of Wales Road; two vacant shops in Camden; and the top floor of a skyscraper in New York’s Times Square.

The show at the 176 Prince of Wales Road brings together artists from several generations to explore contemporary sculpture and the way it enables us to reconsider our relationship to the world, to our private and public spheres. 

In the main hall of this former chapel, sculptures by esteemed artists Franz West and Haim Steinbach are shown alongside works by younger artists, creating cross-generational conversations that reveal specific areas of concern to each artist. Many works in the exhibition point outwards from the gallery, alluding to urban infrastructure, consumer behaviour or diverse modes of existence that reflect the influence of glossy magazines or nature, science and technology on our aspirations and lifestyle choices.

Five young artists were invited to spend a month making new work in the space, in response to the unique architecture of 176 Prince of Wales Road. Rachael Champion, Samantha Donnelly, Peggy Franck, Jack Strange and George Young have created ambitious new installations, some of which incorporate works they previously made, which are held by the Zabludowicz Collection.

Elsewhere in Camden and in New York, The Shape We’re In reclaims spaces which have been left vacant by the recent economic downturn. 

In doing so, the exhibition aims to tackle some of the issues relating to the shape of our lives and the places where we live and work. 

The title also plays on the everyday impulse for self-analysis and improvement, a legacy of the self-help industry that has permeated much of our culture and which manifests itself as a drive to consider and reconsider the shape we’re in.

The Shape We’re In (London) is at 176 Prince of Wales Road, NW5, from March 10-June 12. The Shape We’re In (Camden) is at 46 Malden Road, NW5, and 56-58 Leather Lane, EC1, until March 14; Free.  020 7428 8940, www.zabludowiczcollection.com/ london/exhibitions/the-shape-were-in

• There are two related free events this weekend:
Artists’ Talk on Saturday from 3-4pm. 
Kentish Town Art Tour, Sunday 2-4pm