Keywords
Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts)
27.03.13—18.05.13
Tate Liverpool
26.02.14—11.05.14

Curators Grant Watson and Gavin Delahunty
Exhibition design Luca Frei
Word frieze commission Luca Frei and Will Holder

The exhibition takes inspiration from Raymond Williams' influential 1976 book Keywords—A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Through concise essays, Williams explores over 130 words, including 'Aesthetic,' 'Bureaucracy,' 'Equality,' and 'Wealth. ‘

At INIVA, the exhibition was designed with a frieze of keywords hand-painted on the gallery wall using a perspex template. This visual element established a formal link between the words and the artworks curated from the Tate collection, creating a dynamic interplay between word and image. To enhance the experience, a sand-coloured carpet covered the entire floor, softening the space's ambience. In addition, the inclusion of chairs, borrowed from the exhibiting artists themselves, added a touch of intimacy and domesticity to the gallery. These chairs served a dual purpose, becoming integral to the interactive workshop sessions led by Adrian Rifkin and further enhancing visitor engagement.

With the support of The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
Iniva, 2013. Photo: Thierry Bal
Tate Liverpool, 2014. Photo: Tate Liverpool