Woodrow and Deacon

Woodrow & Deacon, Only the Lonely and other Shared Sculptures, 1993, Installation view

The first shared sculpture made by Woodrow and Deacon was Democratic Process (1990), their contribution to the Art Against AIDS auction, Washington 1990. The theme of this exhibition, AIDS, was exemplified not only through the use of materials and symbolism, but through the process and basic format of the work, with its allusions to notions of transmission.

The collaboration between Deacon and Woodrow tends to undermine conventional notions of authorship and artistic practice. The finished works embody not a single inspired vision, but rather a dialogue leading to an artistic statement greater than the sum of its parts. A certain tragic-comic means of expression, a formal inventiveness and sense of social commitment are derived from the particular strengths of each artist.

Only the Lonely constitutes a challenging proposition by two well-known British artists. It blurs a line that is all too often drawn between art and life, declaring a constructive co-operation and involvement.

Bill Woodrow was born in 1948 in Oxfordshire. He attended Winchester School of Art (1967-8), St Martin’s School of Art (1968-71) and Chelsea School of Art (1971-2). He lives and works in London.

Richard Deacon was born in 1949 in Bangor, Wales, and currently lives in London. He attended St Martins School of Art (1969-72), the Royal College of Art (1974-77) and Chelsea School of Art (1977-8). Deacon was awarded the Turner Prize in 1987.

Supported by the Arts Council of Great Britain, Only the Lonely is the second exhibition in the Prudential Award Programme at Chisenhale.

Woodrow and Deacon
(Bill Woodrow, Richard Deacon)
Only the Lonely and other Shared Sculptures