Viewing Two Worlds Entwined: Annie Morris and Idris Khan

‘Two Worlds Entwined: Annie Morris and Idris Khan’ will explore the artistic practices of British contemporary artist couple Morris and Khan within the historic and intimate setting of Newlands House gallery. Wander through floor boarded rooms of mustard honey hues throughout the iconic Georgian house to view over 60 works from the artists as they invite you into their creative realm – where their multi-disciplinary works sit side by side in stunning juxtaposition.

Presented in vibrant and playful hues, Annie Morris’ stack sculptures punctuate the space. The stacks of spheres are strong but also delicate and fragile: a duality seen frequently in Morris’ work referencing personal experiences around still birth and her journey of grief and latter creativity. Symbols and characters repeat across Morris’ body of work through her needlework and drawing, with her now known ‘Flower Woman’ a bulbous figure exploring mother and child appearing in drawings, tapestries and even armchairs.

Drawing also on personal experience, Idris Khan, draws inspiration from his own journey – investigating layered experience of memory and creativity as well as the history of art and music. His work draws reference upon philosophical and theological texts, including explorations around religion. Khan captured the attention of the wider art world with Every…page of the Holy Qur’an. In this work, photographs of each page of the holy book are layered to create an illegible pattern. It speaks of an ambivalence toward his birth religion, an anxiety about his past but still a need to connect with it.

Curated by Maya Binkin, she says of Morris and Khan, “Their lives are entwined, yet their practices are separate. The dynamics of this relationship will be present in the exhibition… As in most relationships, there is love and conflict cemented together.”

Playful and contemplative, this is a must see. Well worth the train ticket.