Phyllida Barlow’s work is monumental in scale, commanding space with structures that challenge conventional form and perception. Improvisational in nature, her sculptures embody a delicate tension between spontaneity and intention, evoking both balance and chaos in their dynamic compositions. Organized in collaboration with MOCA Toronto, this reimagined presentation of the work eleven columns in dialogue with works on paper showcases Barlow’s ability to transform environments into immersive and joyful experiences for the viewers.

The columns, each uniquely constructed, reflect her exploration of scale, color, and texture, inviting viewers to engage with them in both physical and conceptual ways. The towering structures testify to Barlow's ability to transform everyday materials and redefine monumentality in the context of the everyday. Her use of raw, textural materials—painted plaster, paint, wood, and fabric—is also an invitation to look more closely. She creates a visceral, tactile presence that invites close engagement. She challenges us to reconsider what we deem significant or worthy of attention in our daily lives. By elevating mundane materials into architectural forms, Phyllida Barlow invites us to reflect on the beauty and possibilities within the ordinary, prompting a deeper connection to our surroundings.

In this exhibition, we encourage you to consider the dialogue between the columns and the works on paper. Unlike a more traditional approach to drawing from sculpture, where drawings often serve as preparatory studies, Barlow's drawings emerge from an immediate engagement with the sculptures. As you walk through the installation, we invite you to discover it from various vantage points, allowing the physicality of Barlow's structures to interact with your own movements and perspectives. This immersive experience invites a deeper engagement with the artwork, prompting you to explore how these forms occupy space and how they resonate with the surrounding environment.

Throughout her career, Phyllida Barlow has garnered recognition for her impactful contributions to contemporary art as an educator and professor but also as an artist. She has exhibited extensively, including significant solo presentations at major institutions, such as the British Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennale.