another hour - Edmund de Waal

Edmund de Waal channels Giorgio Morandi in Stockholm

Though it's not ceramics that unite the two artists but the encouragement of mindful viewing and contemplation

Exploring the visual and literary dialogue between the two artists, a major exhibition of work by Edmund de Waal and Giorgio Morandi opens at Artipelag, Stockholm today. The show features 50 paintings by Morandi and 30 works by de Waal, including his series of 9 suspended vitrines called atmosphere, first shown in 2014.

New works include another hour - a collection of 6 freestanding towers containing porcelain vessels - and another homage to the square - 5 vitrines containing blocks of white alabaster and gilded porcelain tiles. De Waal has also created a handwritten text piece, spanning the gallery walls. The exhibition will be accompanied by a lower floor library room where visitors will be able to draw, write letters and read the novels and poetry that has inspired both artists.

 

Edmund de Waal courtesy Gagosian
Edmund de Waal courtesy Gagosian

However it is not ceramics that unites these two artists here, but rather the encouragement of mindful viewing and contemplation. Giorgio Morandi (1890–1964) is one of the great protagonists of modern Italian art and has assumed cult status within circles of art connoisseurs.

Transgressing generations, he continues to fascinate artists, authors, poets, designers and photographers to this day. You can also add filmmakers and presidents to this list - Federico Fellini’s classic La Dolce Vita is one of the more illustrious examples as is Barack Obama’s inclusion of two Morandi paintings in the White House art collection.

 

Edmund de Waal courtesy Gagosian
Edmund de Waal courtesy Gagosian

The exhibition at Artipelag highlights about fifty works from Morandi's career (the earliest works are from 1921 and the latest from 1963). A significant portion of the Morandi paintings featured in the exhibition are still lifes of ceramic household items and there are also a handful of landscape paintings included. The paintings are complemented by drawings, etchings and watercolours, which illustrate Morandi’s artistic range.

The Artipelag show will also mark the first time that de Waal’s works have been presented in Sweden and will include around 40 artworks from 2012 to 2017. About 10 of these are new, stemming from a dialogue with the Morandi works. De Waal has on numerous occasions emphasized Morandi as one of his greatest sources of inspiration. Want to know more about Edmund de Waal? Of course you do. Then check out his books in our store here

 

Our Edmund de Waal monograph
Our Edmund de Waal monograph