Phyllida Barlow: Objects for a Library

Phyllida Barlow’s sculptural intervention in the library explores ‘the book’ as object, investigating both its internal and external characteristics.

Co-existing alongside the library’s collection of books, her twenty-one objects encompass fifteen organic pieces, rounded and fleshy in appearance, and six rigid objects – hard edged, prickly, shiny and abrasive.

The sculptures sit upon the shelves in various stages of hibernation, assuming a dormant, semi-conscious role: gazing out, watching and observing the tranquil space that exists below. The library is already populated by a number of distinguished portrait busts from Leeds Art Gallery’s permanent collection, which similarly peer down upon unsuspecting readers.

Barlow is particularly interested in the material aspect of books and how this may effect our conception of the contents therein. She deliberated chose contrasting materials such as stitched blanket, painted canvas and painted plywood which highlight both the physical and literary aspects of the reading experience.