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‘The Eternal Thread’ of Bourgeois art
Print Edition
An exhibition of work by one of the world’s most influential sculptresses, Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010), is nearing the end of its run at the Long Museum West Bund.
Bourgeois created a rich and ever-changing body of work over several decades that intersected with some of the leading avant-garde movements of the 20th century, including Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Post-Minimalism, while remaining steadfast to her own singular creative vision.
She continued to create art right up to her death. The 99-year-old completed her last piece of work the week before she died.
The three-month show, “The Eternal Thread,” offers a focussed survey of major works from the artist’s entire career, including “Personage” sculptures from the late 1940s, “Cell” installations from the 1990s, the fabric works of her final decade and the monumental spider sculpture “Maman.”
“Femme Maison (1946-47)” is a series of paintings which sees Bourgeois explore a relationship between a woman and her home.
“Destruction of the Father (1974)” is a biographical and a psychological exploration of a dominant father with his offspring. The piece is a flesh-toned installation in a soft and womb-like room.
While in her 80s, Bourgeois produced two enclosed installation works she referred to as “Cells.”
Many are small enclosures where the viewer is prompted to peer at arrangements of symbolic objects; others are small rooms into which the viewer is invited to enter.
In the cell pieces, Bourgeois uses earlier sculptural forms, found objects and personal items that carried a strong personal emotional charge for the artist.
In the late 1990s, Bourgeois began using a spider as a central image in her art. “Maman,” which stands more than nine meters tall, is a steel and marble sculpture from which an edition of six bronzes were subsequently cast.
“The spider is an ode to my mother,” said Bourgeois of her work when it was first exhibited at the Tate Modern in London in 2000.
“She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration and my mother was in charge of the workshop.
“Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes.
“We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.”
“The Eternal Thread” concept marks Bourgeois’ huge achievements in fabric and sewing, and it also allows viewers to understand her work in different ways.
After its Shanghai leg, the exhibition will continue to travel to the Song Art Museum in Beijing next month.
Date: Through February 24, 10am-9pm
Venue: Long Museum West Bund
Address: 3398 Longteng Ave
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