Veronica Ryan – Alison Jacques

Veronica Ryan

Hackney Windrush Commission

Erika Verzutti

Museu de Arte de São Paulo

Lygia Clark & Veronica Ryan

in ‘Breaking the Mould: Sculpture by Women since 1945’, Arts Council Collection Touring Exhibition, UK

Dorothea Tanning

in ‘Surrealism and Magic: Enchanted Modernity’, Guggenheim, Venice

Sheila Hicks: Off Grid

The Hepworth Wakefield

Nicola L.

in ‘Our Silver City, 2094’, Nottingham Contemporary, UK

Lygia Clark

in ‘The Point of Sculpture’, Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona

Lenore Tawney

in ‘Making Knowing: Craft in Art, 1950–2019’, Whitney Museum, New York

Veronica Ryan

in ‘Barbara Hepworth: Art & Life’, The Hepworth Wakefield

Lygia Clark, Sheila Hicks & Lenore Tawney

in ‘Women in Abstraction’, Centre Pompidou, Paris

Nicola L.

in ‘Domestic Drama’, HALLE FÜR KUNST Steiermark, Graz

Lenore Tawney

in ‘Craft Front & Center’, Museum of Arts and Design, New York

Dorothea Tanning

in ‘Surrealistic Creatures’, Max Ernst Museum, Brühl

Maria Bartuszová

Tate Modern, London

Alison Jacques is delighted to announce the unveiling of Custard Apple (Annonaceae), Breadfruit (Moraceae) and Soursop (Annonaceae) (2021) by Veronica Ryan OBE, the UK’s first permanent public sculptures to celebrate and honour the Windrush Generations. The works, which are installed in Narrow Way Square by St. Augustine’s Tower, East London, are commissioned by Hackney Council, curated and produced by Create London and supported by Art Fund with additional funding from the Henry Moore Foundation.

Ryan’s series of large-scale marble and bronze sculptures represent and respond to Caribbean fruit and vegetables, while alluding to ideas of movement, memory and cultural exchange. Speaking of the inspiration for the works, Ryan said: ‘I have memories of going to Ridley Road Market with my mother as a child to buy fruit and vegetables, fabrics and sewing materials. Little did I know, those early experiences would become essential material for my practice as an artist.’

Located on a pedestrianised flank of Mare Street, Custard Apple (Annonaceae), Breadfruit (Moraceae) and Soursop (Annonaceae) will stand as a permanent expression of solidarity with the Windrush Generations. The works are both a recognition of the community’s significant contribution to life in the borough and the UK, and a reflection of the borough’s ongoing commitment to providing refuge and welcome to worldwide migrants. ‘I like the idea that there are public works that define a different history’, Ryan noted recently. ‘Seeing representations of one’s cultural heritage in a public space is an affirmation – evidence that you belong here.’