Deep Horizons

10 Mar-18 Jun 2023

Overview

Deep Horizons starts with the topic of excavation and presents sculpture, drawing, painting, installation, ceramics, photography and moving image from the last 90 years. Developed through a series of conversations, the exhibition explores layers of themes, including history and time, geology and land, memory and dreams and the politics of how we record and understand the past.

The exhibition presents two very different collections of modern and contemporary art: the Middlesbrough Collection, cared for by MIMA, and the David and Indrė Roberts Collection, managed by The Roberts Institute of Art. Seen together, they present connected and contrasting artworks in new combinations to allow fresh readings. A number of the pieces displayed have not been seen in a public gallery.

Seven curatorial collaborators have shaped the exhibition’s themes and with MIMA and Roberts Institute of Art curators. Each coming from a different field of knowledge, their perspectives and interests have opened viewpoints on excavation and new readings of artworks. The curatorial collaborators are: broadcaster and actor Sir Tony Robinson, artists Liliane Lijn and Fiona Crisp, botanist Dr Greg Kenicer, Professor of Physics Chamkaur Ghag, writer and academic Dr Julietta Singh and former Tees Bay Pilot Geoff Taylor.

Artists’ work on show includes Bernd and Hilla Becher, Chiara Camoni, Ellen Gallagher, Theaster Gates, Emily Hesse, Lonnie Holley, Onya McCausland, Ana Mendieta, Paula Rego and John Stezaker.