Alchemy

Bringing together major works by some of the most influential postwar and contemporary European and American artists, Alchemy explores the enduring fascination with material transformation and alchemical thinking in artistic production.

The group show features the work of artists who were exposed to alchemical thought at key moments in their practice, including Joseph Beuys, Anselm Kiefer, Sigmar Polke, Robert Rauschenberg, Sturtevant, Emilio Vedova and Andy Warhol. Bringing together a collection of art-historically significant works, many of which are being shown for the first time in the UK, the exhibition highlights how material, artistic and philosophical shifting thinking influenced and was redefined by these artistic pioneers.

While alchemy is often associated with transforming base metals into gold or finding universal cures for ailments, alchemy has also accumulated a wealth of material and symbolic meaning as it has evolved across cultures and time. Known as "Great Art" (Ars Magna), it has provided rich subject matter for artists over the centuries, from Albrecht Dürer to the 20th-century Surrealists. Treating the artists' studios as a laboratory, this exhibition explores the legacy of alchemy through the unique perspective of each artist as they engage in experimental interactions with the world around them.

Treating the artists' studios as a laboratory, this exhibition explores the legacy of alchemy through the unique perspective of each artist as they engage in experimental interactions with the world around them.

Alchemy
Date: 26 May – 29 Jul 2023
Gallery: Thaddaeus Ropac, London
Address: Ely House, 37 Dover Street, W1S 4NJ
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#Alchemy
#JosephBeuys
#AnselmKiefer
#SigmarPolke
#RobertRauschenberg
#Sturtevant
#EmilioVedova
#AndyWarhol
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