Kunsthal Rotterdam

Everyday characters

What does it mean to either be acknowledged or ignored in society? This question is central to Price’s sculptures. He portrays everyday, but fictitious characters, challenging the spectator to think about who is represented in the public space. The exhibition Matter of Place opens with a smaller version of Price’s much-discussed sculpture ‘Moments Contained’, which has been gracing the square in front of Rotterdam Central Station since 2023. The sculpture depicts a woman wearing trainers, with her fists clenched in the pockets of her sweatpants. Are passersby recognising themselves, or someone they know in her? Or is she making them aware of their own prejudices? Also displayed is Price’s impactful video performance ‘Licked’ (2001), which shows the artist licking a gallery wall over the course of three days. The work symbolises a state of being present without actually being seen.

Both trainers firmly on the ground

Price combines innovative methods with classical techniques, such as bronze casting, gilding, or sculpting in marble. The figures are modest and instantly recognisable in their ordinary clothes and informal poses. In the public space he intentionally does not place his characters, who are inspired by people in the streets and images from the media, on a pedestal, but with both trainers firmly on the ground. This also applies to the larger- than-life-sized sculpture ‘Reaching Out’ (2020) which can be admired in front of the Kunsthal entrance. It highlights the human aspects Price wants to celebrate in his work: connection, empathy, and shared humanity.

Thomas J Price

Thomas J Price is one of the most important contemporary British artists of his generation. He studied at both the Chelsea College of Art and the Royal College of Art in London. Price was commissioned by Hackney Council, London to create the first permanent public sculptures to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants in the UK, unveiled in June 2022. His solo presentation, ‘Witness’, in collaboration with The Studio Museum in Harlem was on view in Marcus Garvey Park, New York from 2021 – 2022. In 2023, his solo exhibition ‘Beyond Measure’ was shown at the gallery Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles. Between 3 December 2023 and 7 April 2024, Price took part in the National Gallery of Victoria’s Triennial in Melbourne, Australia. And until May 2024, the exhibition ‘Thomas Price at the V&A’ will be on view at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. 

Look&Do Tour Thomas J Price (6-12 year-olds) 

A free booklet (available in English and Dutch) with various assignments and questions will help you to find out more about the art of Thomas J Price. Discover his sculptures, make drawings, write texts, and take photos of yourself posing as an artwork!

Catalogue

The exhibition will be accompanied by the catalogue Thomas J Price. Matter of Place (29.90 EUR). It is available for purchase in the Kunsthal webshop and in the Kunsthal store.

Artist Talk