Simon Patterson at Haunch of Venison, London

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Simon Patterson ‘Under Cartel’

13 July-31 August, 2012

Haunch of Venison
51 Eastcastle Street
London W1W 8EB

A series of photographs of equestrian statues from around the world is the focus of Simon Patterson’s exhibition Under Cartel at the Haunch of Venison’s Eastcastle Street gallery, London (until 31 August, 2012). The exhibition title refers to the protocol involving the status of exchanged prisoners of war or hostages. For this body of work Patterson proposes an exchange of equestrian statues between countries, which would find, for example, the statue of Joan of Arc in Place des Pyramides, Paris, swapped with El Cid in Burgos, Spain; a statue of Napolean I in Cherbourg, swopped for the Duke of Wellington in London.

The political connotations are endless and thought-provoking, whilst Patterson gives the viewer much to think about, including the size of statue and personality of the person, suggesting the exchange of a small equestrian statue of the Roman emperor Caligula (British Museum, London), with the monolithic statue of Genghis Khan in Töv Province, Mongolia. Beneath the proposed swaps, another equestrian photograph – placed on foam blocks – gives an alternative choice should it not be possible to agree an exchange. To aid the viewer, neon arrows point out who might be exchanged with whom.

Simon Patterson (b.1967), England) was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1996 and in 1997 was part of the Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy, London. He has held solo shows throughout Europe, Japan and the USA.