Harewood Biennial 2022: Radical Acts explores narratives of social and environmental purpose.
Aluminium table with Totomoxtle marquetry - Fernando Laposse
Opening this weekend (26 March to 29 August), the second edition of the Harewood Biennial Radical Acts: Why Craft Matters will take place across the grounds and interiors of Harewood House, an accredited museum and educational charitable Trust located just outside of Leeds.
The Biennial traces and builds on the great craftsmanship in the house, from the largest commission of Chippendale in the 18th century, to the present day.
The meaning of ‘radical’ can be traced back to the word ‘root’, and in Radical Acts, craft is presented as a bridge between our roots and our future. Each exhibitor tackles an urgent issue of modern life with a resourceful attitude and hopeful intent, using their craft to reflect on human connection, social equality and representation, climate change and conservation, material potential and natural resources, land use and landfill.
Mac Collins, outside Harewood House, 2021 (Dawn Kelly)
Mac Collins, Iklwa Large Black Chair, 2020 (David Cleveland)
Many exhibitors will explore Harewood’s own roots and its future, as the Trust continues to re-imagine what makes a historic house and its landscape relevant in the 21st century. They will also reflect on, and respond to, important conversations around restoration and repair, regeneration, and wellbeing. It is the Biennial’s ambition to entertain and engage Harewood’s audience with optimistic messages to inspire and empower visitors to think and act with purpose in their own daily lives.
"Radical Acts brings together an exciting group of creative activists, joined by their commitment to craft as a force for positive impact. The Biennial is not so much an exhibition as a call to arms. These are stories and initiatives to inspire us all that, as individuals, we can make conscious choices that have positive impacts. It is a radical act to take responsibility for our lifestyles and our livelihoods, and to discover that our future is in our hands." - Hugo Macdonald, Curator.
The exhibitors taking part in the Harewood Biennial 2022 are:
Mac Collins, Sebastian Cox, Eunhye Ko, Fernando Laposse, Michael Marriott, Bobby Mills, Francisca Onumah, Celia Pym, Bisila Noha and Robin Wood; as well as Ilse Crawford & Nanimarquina, Margent Farm, Good Foundations International, Retrouvius, Smile Plastics and Community Clothing.
ACAD x Smile Plastics chairs reimagined for the festival
Sebastian Cox, in his South London studio, 2021 (Dawn Kelly)
"The Harewood Biennial is a bold exhibition for our times, exploring the transformative power of craft and creativity, which connects people and empowers communities. Inspired by our diverse history, collections and landscape, the show invites our visitors to learn more about Harewood’s past as we continue to look towards its future. We are incredibly excited to work with these talented makers; to share their stories with our audiences, and perhaps even, to inspire some positive change in us all." - Jane Marriott, Director of Harewood House Trust.
Click here for more information and to plan your visit.
