House Gods, Animal Guides and Five Ways 2 Forgiveness was created by Zadie Xa and commissioned by Whitechapel Gallery, supported by Dior.
Combining textiles, sculpture and installation with sound, the room emanated a feeling of kindness. Was this just the effect of the title on me? I don’t think so as my companion felt the same thing.
There was an otherworldliness, a slightly dream-like quality to the installation with each element beautifully constructed.
Folklore from different traditions (the artist has a Korean – Canadian background) including masks, kites and mythological characters from folk tales populated the dimly-lit space.
Reading the background information gave me some facts but I enjoyed absorbing what I could see and hear first. Learning what it “meant”, even if I didn’t get all the references, was secondary to the visceral experience.
It’s so easy to get taken in by text and captions before really looking at the artwork and I do my best to do the opposite at exhibitions – looking first, then reading.
I ask people looking at my work ” what do you see? What do you feel?” before providing any background if requested. It’s the full experience that matters. Additional information may deepen appreciation but it’s secondary.