The Private Viewing Room
A limited access forum to view forthcoming exhibitions and works of art

 

 

JØRGEN HAUGEN SØRENSEN

A Dark Story in White

 

30 September – 24 October

  

 

Jørgen Haugen Sørensen, born in Copenhagen in 1934, is one of Denmark’s most esteemed and decorated sculptors and we are delighted to represent his work in the UK. Throughout his entire artistic career he has consistently and independently focused his attention on the human condition in society and has shifted effortlessly between materials and modes of expression within the sculptural sphere – each transformation has been mastered with continuous success.

Whilst Jørgen works in materials including bronze and marble, this exhibition – his debut at Messums London – will focus on his white clay works, one of the most basic of materials that has always been in line with his aesthetic approach.

According to legend, God modelled human figures out of clay. He breathed life into them, let them live and will determine if they deserve to burn in hell or not.

“In front of Jørgen’s work, we lose our sense of position and we experience uncertainness for a moment as we determine if we are looking at sculptures or if we are looking at ourselves. With the positions he chooses, the situation of the human and the clay, Jørgen unveils the relationship between the human and his own filth. When we look at his figures, we don’t know what to see: the humanity of the clay or the muddiness of humanity. Is he presenting to us a humanity we don’t know or what we don’t want to know about our humanity?” Armen Agop, sculptor