Exhibitions

Inspired by American artist Bruce Nauman’s use of text in his practice, and especially in response to the work The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths (1967), this exhibition brings together works from the MPRG Collection that use text to convey their meaning.

Language has been used as an expressive art form for thousands of years, from spoken word and oral traditions, to illuminated manuscripts, printed literature and stories. By the 1960s, text became a central focus for many artists, and today contemporary artists continue to use language as a powerful form of artistic expression.

Text in a work of art provides a unique way to materialise, translate and communicate ideas. Featuring words and text both as a material and as subject matter, these works invite viewers to read them to gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s intent. Personal, poetic, playful and political, these visual statements offer varied insights into human culture, history, memory and experience.

The exhibition features the work of artists Juan Davila, Robert Fielding, Guerrilla Girls, Katherine Hattam, Gareth Sansom, Lisa Waup and others.

Image: Robert Fielding, Generations 2023, offset monoprint, Purchased with the support of the Robert Salzer Foundation Acquisition Fund, 2023, Courtesy of the artist and Mimili Maku Arts.