Phyllida Barlow

Phyllida Barlow takes sculpture apart in a very literal sense. Following a 2010 exhibition that brought her wide attention, the British artist broke up her enormous works and reused their parts to make new pieces. She treats the idea that art should last as something to push against, and this stance runs through her whole practice. Her monumental sculptures, built from industrial and household materials, can feel both imposing and childlike, and they playfully examine how people relate to the natural and built world around them.

This major retrospective gathers drawings and sculptures from throughout Barlow's long and influential career. Alongside photographs of recent installations, it includes archival material, much of it published here for the first time, documenting sculptures that no longer exist. The volume makes a strong case for her standing as one of the most important artists working in Britain today.