Dean Kenning: Evolutionary Love

Standpoint Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new work by Dean Kenning, winner of the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award 2020/21.

Kenning (b.1972 Hounslow, UK) makes kinetic and sound sculptures, as well as videos and diagrams. His work is engaged with political, philosophical and scientific questions, and is produced through hands-on material and process-based experimentation, and in the spirit of DIY problem-solving.

This exhibition has been developed over the past year by the London-based artist, the 18th recipient of the Mark Tanner Sculpture Award (MTSA). Kenning has used this time to extend the possibilities for his kinetic sculptural practice to instigate affective, pathetic and uncanny encounters whilst speaking to a vital ‘life force’.

For ‘Evolutionary Love’, Kenning has produced a series of semi-autonomous, interactive creatures, which crawl and drag themselves continuously around the gallery, avoiding obstacles and interacting with visitors and each other. Point of view footage is live-streamed on screens, viscerally giving the audience a close-to-the-ground creaturely perspective.

Kenning was selected from 220 applicants from across the UK by a panel comprising: Anne Hardy, artist; Sam Thorne, Director, Nottingham Contemporary; Rebecca Scott, artist and Mark Tanner Trust; and Olivia Bax, winner of the MTSA 2019-20.

‘Evolutionary Love’ will open at Standpoint from 17 September – 30 October 2021 before travelling to Bury Sculpture Centre from 13 November 2021 –19 February 2022 and Cross Lane Projects, Kendal in Spring 2022.