Es Devlin: Face to Face 50 Encounters with Strangers

After missing the original one at St Mary Le Strand, I caught this installation right on time before closing today and right across the street, at Somerset House. It unfolds three spaces:

It welcomes you a replica of Es Devlin’s south London studio. A perfect insight of the artist labour, to see some of the sitters, to imagine their experiences, what the gift box means and what it brings. At the back, there is a sort of living room where you can read, draw portraits, and talk. Talk about the art, yourself, life experiences, London.

The next room is a new edition of her projection-mapped Congregation installation. The minimal set up, a full room wrapped in white cloth, reinforced the 3 meters high installation. It is like an altar, a pyramid, a chorus. A respectful space where you just sit and listen. You see the sitters and they see you, listening to some of their stories. A would say it is a very spiritual experience.

The last room includes a series of new works including painted LED screens and projection mapped painted glass layered portraits. I was too excited after leaving the second room that I didn’t take photos of this part. But let me tell you, the layers of the new work adds so much dynamism, extra stories, extra experiences, extra gifts.

This show was special. Es Devlin arranged the drawing sessions for the first 45 minutes without talking, and without any knowledge of her sitter stories or circumstances. After 45 minutes the drawing was paused while the sitter told Devlin their story. Then, she resumed the drawing while listening to podcasts about the conflict from which her sitter sought sanctuary. The power of listening, connection, being present, and creating space-public space- about migration and refuge. Amazingly curated by Ekow Eshun.

A great way to start the year.