The largest ever solo exhibition from sculptor Helaine Blumenfeld OBE will extend its residency at Canary Wharf until 2021. Inspired by human relationships and intimate connections, LOOKING UP encourages unity in difficult times – an attribute of society needed now more than ever.
Installed shortly before lockdown, the exhibition is available to view free of charge for visitors making their way back to the Estate as social distancing measures ease.
Works staged in the Lobby of One Canada Square will continue to be on view until Friday 6th November 2020, illustrating the range of materials Blumenfeld has become known for. Distinctive types of marble; Statuario and Travertine, as well as bronze, wood and terracotta, feature throughout. Seven new pieces were created specifically for the indoor exhibition, including Toward the Precipice (2019), carved from marble, which is presented alongside Flight (2019) and Aurora (2018), two cedar wood sculptures standing at over 2.5 metres, making a striking impression.
The monumental outdoor works will be in position until the end of January 2021 and can be found throughout the vast open areas of the Estate. The exhibit spans Blumenfeld’s impressive career and features pieces dating back to the 1970s. One of Blumenfeld’s more recent works, Taking Risks (2019), is made from Carrara marble and demonstrates her ongoing drive to create inspirational and contemporary sculpture, and her passion for making art accessible.
The showcase, curated by Ann Elliott, is a celebration of Blumenfeld’s 50-year career, and symbolises the importance of togetherness. LOOKING UP represents how through community, shared values and empathy, society can avoid division and exclusion.
Among the assortment of large-scale works is Metamorphosis, commissioned by Canary Wharf Group in 2019. The piece is the newest addition to the permanent collection of public art housed on the Estate, which boasts over 75 pieces. The four-metre bronze sculpture was revealed in Canary Wharf’s new district, Wood Wharf, and joins previously commissioned sculpture Fortuna (2016), located in Jubilee Park.
Canary Wharf is home to one of the UK’s largest collections of public art, featuring over 50 world-renowned artists and craftsmen.
For visitors making their way back onto the Estate, full social distancing measures have been put in place to make it accessible and safe.
Those not able to visit the exhibition in person can enjoy the display of Blumenfeld’s work virtually here.
For more information visit www.canarywharf.com
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press Office
Canary Wharf Group plc
T: 020 7418 2166
E: pressoffice@canarywharf.com
Notes to Editors
EVENT DETAILS:
Lobby, One Canada Square & Throughout Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
London
E14
FREE
Note: Indoor exhibition extended until Friday 6 November / Outdoor exhibition extended until Sunday 31 January
About Helaine Blumenfeld
Helaine Blumenfeld OBE (b. 1942) is one of the leading contemporary sculptors in Britain with a career spanning over 50 years. Helaine has created more than 90 large-scale sculptures for private collections and public spaces around the world including: Lincoln Center, New York; The St Regis Hotel, Hong Kong; Jameel Arts Centre, Dubai; The Lancasters, Hyde Park, London; and Canary Wharf, London. Her work has been shown in more than 70 exhibitions globally in New York, Paris, Singapore, Vienna, Pietrasanta with recent shows at Pilane Sculpture Park, Sweden and Huygens’ Hofwijck, The Netherlands. Blumenfeld was the first female sculptor to win the international sculpture prize ‘Premio Pietrasanta e la Versilia nel Mondo’ in 2007. In 2011, Helaine was awarded an honorary OBE for services to the arts. In 2018 the documentary ‘Hard Beauty: Helaine Blumenfeld’ premiered on Sky Arts. This personal portrait sheds light on the latest developments in her remarkable career. Helaine is represented by Hignell Gallery, London.
www.helaineblumenfeld.com
Instagram: @helaineblumenfeldobe
About Canary Wharf Group:
Canary Wharf Group plc has overseen the largest urban regeneration project ever undertaken in Europe, designing and building more than 16.5m sq ft of London real estate, which now houses local and international companies and renowned retailers.
The Canary Wharf Estate is a major retail destination comprising around 1m sq ft across five shopping malls, including the award-winning leisure development, Crossrail Place, housing one of London’s most stunning roof gardens.
It also has world-class, year-round arts and events programme offering over 200 diverse and culturally inspiring events performed throughout the Estate.
Canary Wharf Group is a wholly owned joint venture between Brookfield Property Partners and the Qatar Investment Authority.
www.canarywharf.com
Instagram: @canarywharflondon
Twitter: @YourCanaryWharf
Twitter: @CanaryWharfGrp
Twitter: @Level39CW