THE SHAPE OF THINGS
The Shape of Things was an exploration of the power of objects to communicate societal expectations of beauty, representation, and the talismanic qualities of objects that we use to empower ourselves. Designed and conceived by Brewster, the exhibition explored the concept of “intimate architecture” - the effect that texture and three dimensional form have on memory and emotion, a reoccurring theme within her work.
The Shape of Things was an emotive display of objects that gain significant personal meaning from the tension and interaction between itself and its audience.
The show opened to over 1,250 visitors in it's first week and by the end of it's three month run had welcomed near 10,000 visitors.
Simone would like to extend her thanks to lead curator Jemima Burrill and the team at Now Gallery.
Now Gallery
29 June - 24 September 2023
The exhibition presented a diverse range of works from furniture to painting, jewellery and sculpture that investigate the hidden linguistics behind design that are inherently entwined with societal norms and ideas of race, gender, equality and more. The Shape of Things encourages the viewers to reconsider their perception of everyday objects and the way we interact with them. Celebrating Brewster’s multidisciplinary approach to design and architecture, Brewster designed the strikingly vibrant and geometric design which envelops the viewers in an immersive display of colour and form.
As a part of the display, Brewster presented a chaise lounge titled Negress which embodies a Modernist perspective on a deconstructed view of the Black female body, referencing and questioning the Primitivist and Cubist interpretation of the subject. The piece was acquired by the Smithsonian in 2022 and invites the viewer to re-examine their ways of interacting with the uncanny form of the chaise lounge.
“Within this show, each box has been crafted to mimic the expressions that bounce amongst Brewster’s work, with the bubbling cobalt cabinets appearing to leap from the paintings hung behind them. We are purposefully drawn towards these facilitators of display, as we are taught to understand how these impact our appreciation of, and experience with, the objects that are placed inside.”
Extract from FAD article by Charlotte Russell
As part of the African Diaspora, Brewster’s work marries Western and African visual languages, highlighting the relationship between these two histories, and the material shapes and forms that are imbued with cultural history and tradition. These dialogues of heritage, memory, race, gender, tradition and form are embodied in some of the key centrepieces of the exhibition.
New work designed for the show include a collection of “Crown” combs, crafted in wood, and a series of solid silver “Heritage” necklaces which incorporate and celebrate African hair.
“Brewster’s works explore a juxtaposition of themes which reflect the tension in the sculptural forms of the pieces themselves, dialogues effortlessly translated by Brewster into the curved silhouettes of her work. ‘I look at my work much like my handwriting, it’s a natural expression of who I am,’ she adds. ‘What becomes evident when you view all of the pieces together is how my voice takes on a new medium, whilst retaining key points of interest. The bold forms in my paintings are an extension of the deconstructed forms in my furniture in a very literal way..”
Extract from Wallpaper* article by Hannah Silver