Whitechapel Gallery

Edwina Ashton

26 Apr - 14 Aug 2016

Installation view of Whitechapel Gallery Children's Commission 2016 Edwina Ashton: In the Winter Hours
Children’s Commission

EDWINA ASHTON
In The Winter Hours
26 April – 14 August 2016

Drawing inspiration from 19th century novels and natural history illustrations, British artist Edwina Ashton (b. 1965) presents darkly humorous films, drawings and sculptures.

Renowned for her interest in animals, zoology and our perceptions of nature, the artist uses her invented creatures to explore human emotions, foibles and world-views. Her characters emerge from sketches, overheard conversations and experiments with second-hand materials. Most of her creatures appear in films and occasionally they appear in public.

Ashton is fascinated by how animals think, how language shapes our world and how materials suggest the imaginary. While recognising that humans are animals, she explores the subtle relationships between them, interweaving scientific and poetic sensibilities.

Alongside this commission Ashton worked with Thornhill Primary School. in London to look at how children gather ideas, sounds and images