On the 20th anniversary of her death, an exhibition of new work draws on the archive of celebrated theatre designer and Beckett collaborator Jocelyn Herbert. The show, titled ‘whole body like gone’, is the work of artist Hannah Clarkson which uses archival images, sketches, and anecdotes from the Jocelyn Herbert Collection, combining them with new sculptures, costumes, and works on paper to present an autoimmune reading of Beckettian absurdism, exploring themes of care and constraint, exuberance and restraint . Complimenting the exhibition is a programme of events assessing Herbert’s life and legacy, her work with Samuel Beckett, and broader themes of disability and costume.
The artist is a writer and visual artist with a particular interest in languages of empathy as embodied in sculpture, costume and performance who is currently a practice-based PhD candidate at the Royal College of Art, London. Alongside an active art and writing practice, she teaches creative writing for post-graduate students at the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm. For the programme of events throughout the week, she will be joined by a number of notable contributors to discuss the themes raised in the exhibition. Among those taking part will be Jane Collins, Professor of Theatre and Performance at Wimbledon College of Arts, performer of the groundbreaking Touretteshero Not I Jess Thom, friend of Jocelyn Herbert Cathy Courtney who is also a trustee of the Jocelyn Herbert Collection, and lecturer Matthew McFrederick of the University of Reading.
The exhibition and programme of events are free to attend and open to all and will run from 1-7 December 2023 (except for Sunday 3 December) at the Wimbledon College of Arts.
Full details of the programme and booking information here.
The Samuel Beckett Society 