I knew nothing of Frances Upritchard's work, but was drawn to this exhibition at Barbican's Curve gallery solely because of the intriguing whimsy of its title - Wetwang Slack. On googling the term 'Wetwang Slack', I discovered that it wasn't so much the product of the artists imagination, but is actually a real place - a village and an Iron Age archeological site in Yorkshire. Many of the excavated skeletons, chariots and artefacts of Iron Age Wetwang are held in the collection of the British Museum.
In this charming and fascinating exhibition Upritchard appears to play God - creating a whole new fantastical culture and race of beings based on the finds and culture of those of Wetwang - the eponymous title of the exhibition. They are seemingly given official credence by being presented here on plinths, or in glass cabinets as if they were bona fide museum exhibits. Upritchard has given full rein to her imagination using the traditions of craft such as modelling (polymer clay), ceramics, glasswares and textiles to create cod, quasi-mystical demi-gods and humanoid beings dressed in pseudo space-age and indigenous/ethnic textiles from South American an Asian cultures in a practice that straddles the art/craft divide. The creations presented here are made to look as though they themselves have been excavated, and are therefore evidence of a lost race discovered as a result of a recent archeological dig. The sculptural figures at the beginning of the exhibition space are particularly lovely, taking their inspiration from a number of various cultures. The Bobby Gillespie-esque figure with the harlequin painted face and yellow hand and feet is very amusing, as are the disembodied 'prehensile' limbs and appendages displaying evidence of 'evolution'. I admired the trompe-l'oeil effects of the red leather 'ears' looking so much like real, raw meat in all their fleshy glory. The textiles are exquisitely rendered and beaded, and the 'ancient' glass vases have a wonderful lustrous sheen to them. It was really enjoyable to discover Upritchard's work, and see first-hand the materials and processes that she employs to such good effect in creating a convincing and fun narrative to her artworks. She bridges the divide between craft and fine art beautifully.
Francis Upritchard: Wetwang Slack
until 6 Jan 2019
The Curve,
Barbican Centre
London
