The I and the You marks the first major UK public gallery presentation of the pioneering and influential Brazilian artist Lygia Clark (1920 –1988, Brazil). This exhibition explores Clark’s unique artistic vision and contributions to the fields of contemporary art and psychotherapy. Through a selection of her groundbreaking works, the exhibition delves into the themes of selfhood, interactivity, and the blurred boundaries between art and therapy.
Lygia Clark emerged as a key figure of the Brazilian Neo-Concrete movement in the 1950s and 1960s. Rejecting the passive role of the viewer, Clark sought to create art that actively engaged the spectator, inviting them to participate and interact with the artworks. Her exploration of the relationship between artwork and audience foreshadowed the later developments in participatory and relational aesthetics.
Breaking Boundaries
Clark’s artistic practice challenged the traditional notions of art’s purpose and function. Drawing inspiration from her training as a psychoanalyst, she believed that art had the power to elicit genuine emotional and psychological responses, and even facilitate personal transformation. Her work blurred the lines between therapy and art, often incorporating elements of touch, bodily engagement, and sensory exploration.
The fusion of art and therapy in Clark’s work led her to collaborate with psychoanalyst Wilfred Bion, reflecting the growing interest in the intersection of art and psychology during the twentieth century. This collaboration resulted in groundbreaking projects such as the “Nostalgia of the Body,” in which participants were encouraged to probe their own bodily sensations and memories in a deeply personal and transformative experience.
Legacy and Influence
Lygia Clark’s innovative approach to art-making continues to influence artists and thinkers today. Her exploration of the relationship between artwork and audience paved the way for a more participatory and interactive art that emphasizes the role of the viewer as an active participant. Clark’s emphasis on sensory experiences and bodily engagement also resonates with contemporary artists who are interested in embodied ways of knowing and experiencing art.
By presenting Clark’s works, The I and the You offers visitors a unique opportunity to engage with a visionary artist whose ideas and practices have had a lasting impact on contemporary art and psychotherapy. Through this exhibition, we are invited to reconsider our understanding of art, therapy, and the possibilities that emerge when these realms intertwine.
