David Smith
Field Work

September 28 - January 5, 2020

Somerset

Hauser & Wirth Somerset is pleased to announce ‘David Smith. Field Work’, its debut solo exhibition by the eminent American artist. The exhibition has been conceived as four chapters of work spanning over three decades (from 1933 to 1964) that aim to demonstrate Smith’s diverse visual language and multifaceted creative process. Curated by the artist’s daughters Rebecca and Candida Smith, co-presidents of the David Smith Estate, the exhibition situates itself between the drawn image and sculpted form to investigate the relationship between the two parallel practices. For Smith, drawing was a natural form of expression, often produced alongside sculpture making and he would intuitively switch back and forth as a crucible for thought and innovation.

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Events

Opening reception: ‘David Smith. Field Work’

Please join us for the opening reception of ‘David Smith. Field Work’. The exhibition is the eminent American artist’s debut solo show and has been conceived as four chapters of work spanning over three decades (from 1933 to 1964) that aim to demonstrate Smith’s diverse visual language and multifaceted creative process.  Curated by the artist’s daughters Rebecca and Candida Smith, co-presidents of the David Smith Estate, the exhibition situates itself between the drawn image and sculpted form to investigate the relationship between the two parallel practices. For Smith, drawing was a natural form of expression, often produced alongside sculpture making and he would intuitively switch back and forth as a crucible for thought and innovation. This is a free event, no booking necessary.

Family Saturday: The Big Draw

Hauser & Wirth Somerset invites families into the gallery for Family Saturdays on the first Saturday of every month. These free sessions offer families a unique experience of art, design and nature. Our October Family Saturday celebrates The Big Draw and takes as its inspiration the exhibition ‘David Smith. Field Work’. Children and their families are invited to take part in different drawing activities that respond to this years festival theme: ‘Drawn to Life’, which focuses on the vital role of creativity for our health and wellbeing.  The Big Draw is the world’s largest drawing festival with the goal of promoting visual literacy and art education. The annual event enables schools, libraries, museums, artists groups, local councils and many more centres to host drawing activities, connecting people of all ages with art, design, and each other. The Big Draw annually involves 1000+ organisers on seven continents, engaging around 400,000 people. The session is aimed at families with children 6 – 14 years. Younger children are welcome. All children must be supervised by parents or carers. This is a free event, however advanced booking is essential as there are limited places. To book, please email education@hauserwirth.com or call +44 (0) 1749 814 060.

The Big Draw: Schools Event

Join Hauser & Wirth Somerset for an event open to over 100 school children to celebrate The Big Draw. Early Years to Primary Schools Session: 10 am – 12 pm Secondary Schools Session: 1 – 3 pm The Big Draw is the world’s largest drawing festival with the goal of promoting visual literacy and art education. The annual event enables schools, libraries, museums, artists groups, local councils and many more centres to host drawing activities, connecting people of all ages with art, design, and each other. The Big Draw annually involves 1000+ organisers on seven continents, engaging around 400,000 people. In response to this year’s festival theme ‘Drawn to Life’ and the exhibition ‘David Smith. Field Work’, we will be making experimental drawings and examine some of the ways in which performance can be both a physical activity and a subject matter. Hauser & Wirth Somerset was awarded ‘The Museums & Galleries Award’ in the international Big Draw Festival Awards 2018. Places are limited to 25 pupils per school. To book a place, please email education@hauserwirth.com or call +44 (0) 1749 814 060.

Teachers’ Private View

Join us for the opportunity to view ‘David Smith. Field Work’ in a private view just for teachers and lecturers. There will also be the chance to collect the latest resources produced to support education visits to Hauser & Wirth Somerset. We hope the session will provide the opportunity to relax and enjoy the exhibitions and to share thoughts and ideas inspired by the artwork. Debbie Hillyerd, Director of Education will lead the tour and be available to discuss any visit requirements. 5 pm Welcome and glass of wine 5.30 pm Tour of exhibitions This is a free event, however it is only available to teaching staff. Booking is essential: please email education@hauserwirth.com or call +44 (0) 174 981 4060.

Schools Workshop: Sculpture

These workshops are developed specifically for key stage 1, 2, 3 or 4 pupils. Taking inspiration from the exhibitions ‘Bharti Kher. A Wonderful Anarchy’ and ‘David Smith. Field Work’ the workshop encourages children to look at ways of responding to art through observation, discussion and making. The session will involve an interactive gallery tour that focuses on exploring sculptural concepts. After the tour pupils will have the opportunity to experiment in small groups, creating their own large-scale constructions.  The workshop aims to broaden students’ sculptural vocabulary and to develop imaginative thinking, construction and design skills, problem-solving and team-work. Students should bring a sketchbook, pencil and a collection of materials that they have gathered to use for their challenge (for example, man-made forms such as boxes, packaging, fabric and natural forms such as wood, leaves, sand etc). They are also required to bring a packed lunch and suitable clothing for creative work. The sessions are available on Tuesday – Friday from October – December 2019, 10 am – 2 pm, subject to availability. There is a maximum of 30 places available per workshop, and the cost is £6 per child. All children should be accompanied by teaching staff. To make a booking please contact the education team on 01749 814 060 or education@hauserwirth.com.

About the Artist

One of the foremost artists of the twentieth century and the sculptor most closely linked to the Abstract Expressionist movement, David Smith is known for his use of industrial methods and materials, and the integration of open space into sculpture. Over a 33-year career, Smith greatly expanded the notion of what sculpture could be, questioning its relationship with the space it was created in and its final habitat; from the artist’s atelier and art foundry into the realms of industry and nature. Spanning pure abstraction and poetic figuration, Smith’s deeply humanist vision has inspired generations of sculptors for the decades since his death.

Current Exhibitions