Helen Chadwick - A Retrospective

Helen Chadwick (1953-96) is one of the most important British artists of the late '80s/early '90s. Chadwick reached widespread attention with her exhibition at the ICA in 1986; she was nominated for the Turner Prize nomination in 1988; and had a widely acclaimed solo show at the Serpentine in 1994. The latter exhibition included a fountain of hot bubbling chocolate (Cacao), as well as the controversial Piss Flowers, sculptures made by casting the holes left by a man and woman urinating in the snow.

However, Chadwick’s early death, has meant that the artist’s reputation has been overshadowed by the group of artists who rose to prominence immediately after her. The YBAs not only immediately followed Chadwick – they arguably gained a lot from her example. Chadwick’s highly personal work, often involves aspects of performance, self-exposure and self-exploration. Many of the works also include photographic elements, and the representation of highly tactile and often eroticised materials. The artist spoke of the feelings her work provoked as "gorgeously repulsive, exquisitely fun, dangerously beautiful". Pressetext

Helen Chadwick - A Retrospective