An exhibition of kinetic mobiles by Phineas Harper

A copse of branching fronds and colourful leaves, Into the Woods is an exhibition of tree-like kinetic hanging structures – the first solo show of critic and curator Phineas Harper. Experimenting with brass, bronze, steel, aluminium, painted card, acrylic, acetate and many varieties of timber, Harper plays with balance, shadow, translucency and fragility, creating mobiles that move under the slightest breeze continuously altering the relationship between observer and setting. 

With life spans centuries longer than humans, trees evoke endurance and solidity, yet for all their fortitude, trees are fragile – easily felled and no match for rapacious, addictive economic growth. Living carbon sinks, trees have a key role to play in the fight against climate breakdown but 17,500 species are already at risk of extinction. The stems and petals of Harper’s mobiles are pretty but delicate, their structures held in fragile balance intended to echo the beautiful yet precarious state of forests. 

Host of Leyton

658 High Rd. Leyton, London E10 6JP

Opening Hours

8 March, 10am to 6pm (ticketed workshop 6pm to 9pm SOLD OUT)
9 March, 12pm to 6pm
10 March, 12pm to 6pm
11 March, 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 5pm (ticketed workshop 1pm to 4pm SOLD OUT)
12 March, 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 5pm (ticketed workshop 1pm to 4pm SOLD OUT)

Workshops

Accompanying the exhibition will be a series of evening and weekend workshops in which Harper will teach participants to make their own mobiles, covering the basics of wire bending and mobile construction while learning from the great mobile makers of the past such as Alexander Calder and Bruno Munari. 

Sales

The majority of pieces in Into the Woods are for sale via the gallery. Proceeds from sales and workshop tickets following gallery commission will be donated to Open City, a charity dedicated to making London more open, accessible and equitable by creating free educational programmes and events.

---

Biography

Phineas Harper is a critic and curator based in London. Their work explores folk traditions and post-growth cultural possibilities and has been exhibited at the Royal Academy, London School of Economics and San Mei Gallery.