The Modern Institute

Richard Wright

25 Jun - 06 Sep 2014

Installation view, The Modern Institute, Aird's Lane, Glasgow, 2014
RICHARD WRIGHT
25 June — 6 September 2014

Richard Wright continues his work with York Glaziers Trust - Britain’s oldest stained glass conservation studio, who have a special connection to the medieval windows at York Minster. For this project he has made four leaded glass skylights in the ceiling at Aird’s Lane.

Utilising the four rectangular skylights, Wright’s new work incorporates handmade, blown glass and leading, following a complex design developed by the artist. In response to the horizontal structure of the skylights, Wright has adapted the technique initially employed in his recent commission for Tate Britain’s eastern windows, in the Milbank foyer.

Wright’s new work at The Modern Institute subtly responds to the architecture of the space and its primary source of light. Each of the four rectangular skylights house a steel frame comprised of nine individual panels - positioning within the structure specifically handmade glass. Cut at definite angles within an intricately designed lead-matrix to produce a three dimensional effect, the distinctively -textured glass interferes with the light to create a play on perspective through the use of light, reflection and the observer’s viewpoint. Alluding to the transient nature of Wright’s wall paintings - which are almost always removed when exhibitions come to an end, Wright’s new glass work creates a collection of unique drawings and patterns which shift across the walls and floor, governed by the natural movement of light as daytime passes.

Richard Wright (b. 1960, London) lives and works in Glasgow. He studied BA (Hons) Painting at Edinburgh College of Art and received his MFA from The Glasgow School of Art. Wright has exhibited internationally since 1994, and has produced several major commissions including those at: Tate Britain, London (2013); Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (2013); and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh (2010). Selected solo exhibitions include: Kunshistorisches Museum, Thesus Temple, Vienna (2013); ‘Works on Paper’, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow (2010); Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (2007); Centre d’Art contemporian, Le Domaine de Kerguéhennec, Bignan (2005); DCA, Dundee (2004); and Tate Liverpool (2001). Wright won the Turner prize in 2009 and has presented work in numerous group exhibitions worldwide, including those at: NBK Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, Berlin; Tate Britain, London; Tate Modern, London; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Charlottenborg Museum, Copenhagen and Walker art Centre, Minneapolis.

Richard Wright and The Modern Institute would like to thank the York Glaziers Trust, DO Architecture, and Scott Associates.
 

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