PRESS RELEASE Lucid Haze

An exhibition by SKETCH, 9 Conduit Street REGINE SCHUMANN W1S 2XG SHUSTER AND MOSELEY

CLARE KENNY 8 February – 15 April 2018

“Light is not so much something that reveals, as it is itself the revelation.” - James Turrell

Presenza is delighted to return to Sketch with Lucid Haze, an exhibition exploring the relationship between artificial light and the material, showcasing works by three of the most exciting light artists today.

Regine Schumann, Shuster and Moseley, and Clare Kenny look at how different applications of light influence our perceptions of form and space. Through sculptural pieces, site-specific installations and mix media works these artists investigate a diversity of subject matters from the architectural to science and philosophy based theories and personal narratives.

The 1960s marked a high point for light artists with the likes of Dan Flavin, Bruce Nauman, and James Turrell creating sculptures and environments out of diffuse light or radiant fluorescent and neon tubing. Today, artists are looking beyond their forerunners and taking light art in new directions.

Based in , Germany, Regine Schumann (b. 1961, Germany) is amongst the most notable artists working in the field of acrylic sculpture today. She is best known for artworks in which light’s ability to affect and transform viewer’s perceptions is key to her exploration of colour and form. Schumann’s innovative use of materials includes works comprising multiple panels of light, neon hoops and monumental blocks of pulsating colour. These are juxtaposed in dynamic linearity and curvilinear forms and displayed under black lights to further highlight their vibrancy.

Based in London, Claudia Moseley (b. 1984, UK) and Edward Shuster (b. 1986, UK) are a conceptual artist duo working in sculpture and installation. Their site-specific exhibitions utilise light in interaction with transparencies, often incorporating blown and float glass elements, which are suspended to form immersive environments. Their work brings into play architectural proportions, geography and anthropology, while investigating the nature of optical illusions and the meaning of technological mediation.

Based in Basel, Switzerland, Clare Kenny (b. 1976, UK) uses photography as the basis of all her works combining it with a variety of materials including found objects, building materials, ceramics, fabrics, glass, neon and paint. Drawing inspiration from her upbringing in Northern England and her family’s working class background, Kenny often explores notions relating to people’s private lives and shared histories while also seeking to confront fact and fiction, memory and illusion and the immaterial with the physical.

About the Artists

Regine Schumann (b. 1961, Germany), 1982-1989 studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Braunschweig; 1989 Master-class student under Roland Dörfler; 2002-2003 Lecturer at the Hochschule Niederrhein, Krefeld. Schumann’s work was exhibited widely worldwide, including recent exhibitions at the Lichtkunstzentrum (Unna, Germany) (2015) and the Museum Gelsenkirchen (2014). Her work is included in a number of permanent collections such as the Kunstmuseum Celle (Germany), the Rheinisches Landesmuseum (, Germany), the Museum Ritter (Waldenbuch, Germany), Staatliches Museum Schwerin (Germany) and Stroom Stiftung Den Haag (Netherlands). Furthermore she received several awards and realized public projects (European Zentralbank, and Sparkasse Gütersloh, Freshield Bruckhaus Deringer, , Germany). Recent solo exhibitions: Look into it, De Buck Gallery, New York, USA (2015); Glow! Axel Pairon Gallery, Knokke, Belgium (2016); Recent Group exhibitions: Enlight my Space, Kunsthalle Bremen (2015)

Clare Kenny (b. 1976, UK), 1999-2002 received her BA at Chelsea School of Art London and 2008- 2010 MA at HSLU Luzern, Switzerland, and is based in Basel, Switzerland since 2007. She is listed in SIKART, Lexikon zur Kunst, Switzerland; has twice been shortlisted for the Swiss Art Awards; and was awarded the Kunstkredit Prize from the city of Basel in Switzerland in 2013. She was an artist in residence at the IAAB cite des artes, Paris (2013); and at the Institute for Provocation in Beijing, supported by ProHelvetia (2015). Kenny has exhibited internationally with solo shows at: Touchstones Museum, Rochdale, UK (2017); VITRINE, London, UK (2013 & 2017); Schwarzwaldallee, Basel (2016), CH; Galerie Gisele Linder, Basel (2014 and 2011), CH; Bureau Gallery, Manchester, UK (2013); DOLL espace d’art contemporain, Lausanne (2012), CH; and ABBT Projects, Zürich (2011), CH.

Edward Shuster (b. 1986, UK), 2017 PhD Philosophy, 'The Pharmakology of Light-Time', European Graduate School; Philosophy, Geometry & Optics Research (Farjam Scholarship), 2013 – 2014 Prince’s School; 2009-2011 MA Philosophy (Western Esoteric), Exeter University; BA Philosophy (World Philosophies), SOAS, 2006-2009. Claudia Moseley (b. 1984, UK), 2007-2008 MA Environmental Anthropology, Kent University; 2003- 2006 BA Fine Art & Textiles Goldsmiths College; 2002-2003 Foundation Diploma Art & Design, Middlesex University. Current projects include the creation of two major new permanent public works at the Television Centre (former BBC studios), curated by the Contemporary Art Society and commissioned by Stanhope Plc; a large-scale site specific commission comprising two installations for Lumiere Durham 2017 and Lumiere London 2018; two site-specific public sculptures selected by Outset Contemporary Art Fund; Art Miami with Dillon + Lee Gallery;

Notes to the editor

About Sketch Sketch’s home, 9 Conduit Street, was designed by James Wyatt in 1779 and has previously been the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects before later becoming the London Atelier of Christian Dior. sketch was inaugurated in 2002 by restaurateur Mourad Mazouz and three Michelin starred chef Pierre Gagnaire, as a destination for food, art and music and continues to contribute to the building’s heritage as a destination for experimentation in design, art and architecture.

9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG www.sketch.london

About Presenza Presenza is a new curatorial platform that brings contemporary art to a unique public with exhibitions in locations outside the conventional gallery space. Presenza shows emerging artists to a global audience of art enthusiasts and collectors. In addition, its online platform allows users to view and purchase art works. The company promotes and supports young artists and galleries by exhibiting their works in site-specific venues. Each unique location creates a dialogue between the selected art and space, challenging viewers to gain insight into the art of collecting. www.presenza.co.uk

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