Installation view, 'Pot Luck' exhibition, 2009.
Photo: Jonathan Shaw

Pot Luck
Food and Art

Bobby Baker, Han Bing, Helen Chadwick, Gayle Chong Kwan, Lia Anna Hennig, Anya Gallaccio, Antony Gormley, Subodh Gupta, Aaron Head, Mona Hatoum, Damien Hirst, Anthony Key, Lucy + Jorge Orta, Rainer Prohaska, Manuel Saiz, Jana Sterbak and Karen Tam.


 

 

Pot Luck brings together 17 internationally acclaimed contemporary artists who explore the continuing relationship between food and art. Representations of food appear throughout art history; from early depictions in mythological scenes to those found in religious art of all cultures. From the beginning of the 20th century, a number of avant-garde art movements, such as Futurism, Surrealism, Fluxus and Pop Art, have sought to break down the distinction between art and life.

 

For some artists, food has become the material of art itself and a means to playfully comment on social and cultural matters. For others, it is the organic and ephemeral quality of food that is of interest. Many also feel that art, like food, should be a communal experience to be enjoyed and shared by all.

 

Pot Luck was conceived as a ‘meal’ where each artist was invited to bring a ‘dish’ (an artwork) to the table. The artists featured come from many countries and are informed by varied cultural and historical backgrounds. Their works reflect a wide range of cultural flavours and concerns inspired by the subject of food today. The exhibition includes photography, sculpture, video and site-specific installations.

 

 

Curated by Cynthia Morrison-Bell and Anthony Key.

 

Produced by Art Circuit Touring Exhibitions.

 

Pot Luck is funded by Arts Council England with support from Canada House Arts Trust.