ADRIAN PIPER

Known for her work as a conceptual artist and analytical philosopher, Adrian Piper (b. 1948, New York City, USA) explores the nature of the self, individual agency and identity politics. Her works often cultivate doubt or ambiguity, prompting viewers to question long-held beliefs about the construction of race and gender, the nature of truth, and the social and political context in which value systems are formed. Piper’s practice incorporates potent symbolism while avoiding singular interpretations to create space for debate and contemplation. The artist underscores the crucial role of the audience in bringing diverse perspectives, and therefore multiple meanings, to the work, particularly in her use of irony, humour and play.

Spanning six decades, the exhibition brings together works selected in close collaboration with Piper, reflecting the breadth of her work across installation, sculpture, participatory performance, video, digital imagery and drawing.

Audience participation is central to Piper’s practice. In Adrian Moves to Berlin (2007), a video work featuring the artist dancing in Alexanderplatz, visitors are invited to dance alongside her in front of the projection. The exhibition also presents The Probable Trust Registry: The Rules of the Game #1-3 (2013) in the UK for the first time. The work was presented at the 2015 Venice Biennale, where Piper received the Golden Lion for Best Artist.

A new publication accompanies the exhibition, featuring two historic works on paper, Parallel Grid Proposal for Dugway Proving Grounds Headquarters (1968) and Untitled Map/Circle (1969), alongside new works created by Piper specifically for this exhibition.