We are the Monument by artist, curator and researcher Yuen Fong Ling takes up residence in a small room adjacent to the foyer of Sheffield’s Graves Gallery. It features a curation of over 50 artworks and objects from across the city’s collections, producing an eight-short-film series entitled ‘Monumentalise’ (2023-4). Ling’s newly commissioned work immortalises performers engaging with the collections, curators, and sites – capturing an amalgamation of two variables on single-channel digital video.
This temporary exhibition centres around the plinth and how it can be seen as a social, political and cultural mark. It also implores the audience to reflect on the significance of those represented on, around, or in opposition to, the plinth. Set against a backdrop of blue skies and clouds, Ling has thematically grouped artworks and sculptures in stacks and cases, namely Commemorate, Build, Socialise, Elevate, Challenge and Perform. These six themes play on the focus of the exhibition, challenging the audience to consider how monuments and memorials play a role in our collective histories.
Take, for example, Socialise. I enjoyed the piece, ‘High Jump’ by Jack Hulme, a gelatin silver print depicting a young boy in mid-air as he jumps over a makeshift hurdle constructed from a horizontal bar supported by two stacks of bricks, resembling plinths. In essence, the bricks and their use as part of a playful activity illustrate the ingenuity and social dynamics of a community, emphasising how children come together to create, interact, and build relationships in shared environments.
I appreciate it when a range of media is utilised to convey an artist’s vision. Ling has curated a thoughtful varied display consisting of photographs, woodcuts, sculptures, paintings and more. It is also fascinating to see how human movement is employed in making his film series, creating a lively experience for both the performer and the audience.
We are the Monument sparks conversations about the concept of the plinth and its importance in shaping history. On the whole, it is a refreshing exhibition showcasing some of Sheffield’s most interesting collections and leaves the audience with a heightened awareness of the complexities of history, the importance of inclusive memory, and the ongoing impact of power dynamics on collective narratives.
Rating: ★★★★☆
We are the Monument is on display in Graves Gallery until December 21st
