Image: Mrs Edward Meyer as Medusa. Artist: Madame Yevonde.
The monographic or solo exhibition, focusing on the work of a single artist, may take the form of a comprehensive retrospective of an artist’s career or alternatively highlight a particular body of work, such as work relating to a specific theme or work in a particular medium.
In much contemporary art the boundaries between the traditional media categories - painting, sculpture, photography etc.- have become blurred and an exhibition by a single artist can contain works in a variety of media. The expanded range of approaches available to the contemporary artist mean that the solo exhibition often takes the form of a site-specific installation of works for a particular venue, such as the British pavilion at the
Venice Biennale.
Image: Mrs Edward Meyer as Medusa. Artist: Madame Yevonde.
Art Architecture Design What We Do Publications and Resources British Council Collection Visual Arts Library Venice Biennale British Council Collection International Biennales What does the British Council do in this area?
Our solo exhibitions are often organised for a specific venue, place or event, so we work very closely with the artist when selecting and commissioning work. In January 2003, Antony Gormley undertook a massive sculptural installation in China, and made 190,000 clay figures for
Asian Field, with significant help from local people. We have worked with Richard Hamilton to mount a major exhibition,
Imaging Ulysses, which was shown in Dublin to celebrate Bloomsday. Have a closer look through our current and archived solo exhibitions below.
Image: Healing Sport. Artist: Tim Hetherington.
The award-winning young British photographer runs photography workshops for young semi-professional photographers living and working mainly in countries within Africa. The workshops aim to enhance existing skills and develop a keener sense of good visual literacy as manifested in photojournalism and documentary practice.
A major solo presentation, the exhibition will feature video and sculpture by acclaimed British artist Mark Wallinger. Shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1995 and then winner of the same prize in 2007, Wallinger also represented Britain at the 49th Venice Biennale in 2001.
Richard-Hamilton-Sign
In collaboration with Ikon Gallery, the British Council presents a seminal exhibition by Richard Hamilton in Shanghai. Richard Hamilton is a major exponent of Pop art and one of the world's most influential contemporary artists.
Image: Belhai Park, Beijing. Photographer: Ricky Wong.
A major exhibition of British sculptor Henry Moore for China
See all Solo Exhibition Archived Projects 