In Residence: Thomas J Price

Ahead of Thomas J Price’s inaugural exhibition with Hauser & Wirth Somerset, ‘Thoughts Unseen’, the London-based artist will join the gallery as artist-in-residence this summer. Price has rapidly become one of the most important British contemporary sculptors of his generation, subverting stereotypical representations of figures we value in society and traditional power structures. After studying at Chelsea College of Art, he completed his MA at the Royal College of Art in 2006 and began further interrogating the language of monumentalism to question the status inherent in public sculptures. Much of his work engages ideas of representation and perception, challenging existing historical narratives and reappropriating power.

Earlier this year, Price and fellow artist, Veronica Ryan were commissioned by Hackney Council to create the first permanent public sculptures to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants in the U.K. Ryan’s artworks will be launched this October on the Narrow Way Square, London, whilst preparation and research for Price's commission are underway with the work due to be unveiled on Windrush Day 2022 (22 June) at Hackney Town Hall, London.

Price has held solo exhibitions at institutions including: The Power Plant, Toronto, Canada; The National Portrait Gallery, London, UK; Royal Academy of Arts, London, UK; MAC, Birmingham, UK; Royal College of Art, London, UK; Harewood House, Leeds, UK; and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, UK. Price’s work is held in collections such as: The Donum Estate, Sonoma, CA; Government Art Collection, London, UK; The Wedge Collection (Canada), Derwent London (UK), Murderme (UK) and the Rennie Collection (Canada).

The gallery will present its first solo exhibition of Thomas J Price’s work at Hauser & Wirth Somerset from 2 October 2021 – 3 January 2022. His work is currently on view at Sculpture Millwaukee, Winsconsin, US until 15 December 2021; The Line, London, UK; and in ‘Gold and Magic’ at ARKEN, Ishøj, Denmark until 8 August 2021.