Delaine Le Bas at Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix

Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix

4th October 2024 –25th January 2025

Drawing on the theme of decay, the exhibition ‘The Archipelago on Fire’ stages a deeply personal story narrated by the British artist of Romani heritage Delaine Le Bas. Comprising a diverse range of mediums such as drawings, bodies, texts, sounds, costumes, and installations, the show delves into both individual and collective emotional experiences within broader socio-political contexts. Visitors to the exhibition by the Turner Prize nominee are immersed in an intense storytelling journey, akin to witnessing open-heart surgery, as the artist invites us to engage with a political discourse intertwined with affective occurrences produced by the artistic encounter.

The works exhibited at Yamamoto Keiko Rochaix were produced during an artist residency at the arts organisation Paradise in Nantes, where they were displayed in an exhibition sharing the same title. The title 'The Archipelago on Fire’ furthermore draws a direct reference to Jules Verne’s 1884 novel, which explores themes of love and war in the context of Greece’s struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire, as seen through the perspective of the sailor and pirate Nicolas Starkos.

The exhibition in London takes Verne’s story as a point of departure to interpret historical events and contemporary situations, visually recounted through the eyes of the artist. Throughout her artistic trajectory, Le Bas has focused on exhibiting the cultural wealth and history of the Roma people, highlighting their struggles and challenging stereotypes. Notable exhibitions include her participation in The First Roma Pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale, her recent solo show at Tramway in Glasgow and her current  showcase as a Turner Pize nomee at the Tate Britain. She has not only proven her commitment to confronting historical and contemportary racism and discrimination. She has also actively engaged with themes of identity and belonging, advocating for equality, inclusion, social justice, and fairness.

The setting of this tale presents a sensorially rich and imaginative environment, characterised by a blend of multimedia elements. The large textile work, reminiscent of medieval tapestry, features a variety of mythical and hybrid creatures, showcasing a technique that combines embroidery, collage and painting. These pieces portrait anthropomorphic figures and dismembered human parts, notably a prominent red heart that recurs throughout the artist’s oeuvre, adding emotional depth and intensity.

The artist employs a dripping application of paint, evoking the imagery of bodily fluids, which enhances the visceral and violent quality of the pieces. The exhibition also incorporates diverse elements such as flowers, a caged pigeon, architectural motifs, theatrical costumes, and found objects like old frames which she uses for her drawings. A video displayed on an iPad contributes an auditory layer to the experience, filling the exhibition space with sound.

Moreover, the exhibition embodies a mystical and magical atmosphere, which in turn is linked to questions of gender and a recognition of the mystical and feminine power of nature. Le Bas’s feminist practice is shown in her extraordinary female figures, including goddesses, visionaries, and witches. These figures highlight her interest in the representation and significance of powerful women throughout history and mythology, reflecting broader feminist ideals and narratives.

Le Bas’s ‘The Archipelago on Fire’ is a profound exploration of the complex theme of decay. It stages the tension that there is between destruction and regeneration, life and death and the interplay between politics and spirituality as well as the relation between social dynamics and art. The exhibition delves into the emotional and tragic elements of the individual and collective experience, the complex relationship between humans, animals and nature, while also reflecting on the broader social dynamics and political contexts that create the drama and experience of human life.

Dr Paula Zambrano, Curator of Programmes

Delaine Le Bas: 'The Archipelago on Fire’
4th October 2024 – 25th January 2025