Louise Bourgeois (1911–2010) was born in Paris and lived and worked in New York from 1938. She is widely recognised as one of the most important figures of modern and contemporary art. Often biographical, Bourgeois’ work explores themes including childhood, family, motherhood and gender identity.
The selection of work at Kettle’s Yard includes sculptures, prints and drawings, reflecting different periods in Bourgeois’ life, and is drawn from the ARTIST ROOMS collection.
She engaged with existentialism and surrealism as a young artist in Paris – where she was also mentored by Joan Miró – and moved to New York in 1938. The importance of her work was not fully recognised until the 1970s, when her career was reinvigorated by a new generation of women artists.
Her wide-ranging art, encompassed painting, sculpture, installation and printmaking, exploring themes including childhood, family, motherhood and gender identity.
ARTIST ROOMS is a collection of international modern and contemporary art jointly owned by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. ARTIST ROOMS was established through The d’Offay Donation in 2008, with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund and the Scottish and British Governments.