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And Thanks in Advance

And Thanks in Advance was an exhibition by Gabriel Kuri during his residency at New Zealand's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

Mexico & Aotearoa New Zealand

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And Thanks in Advance catalogue

And thanks in advance. Gabriel Kuri. Govett-Brewster Art Gallery.

In 2006, Gabriel Kuri was the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery's international artist in residence. And Thanks in Advance was his first exhibition in New Zealand. The exhibition title states a conclusion about what has not yet happened. It represents how language has limiting and enabling communication powers, and Gabriel's belief that what is omitted is still eloquent.

And Thanks in Advance, which was curated by Mercedes Vicente, includes work that Gabriel developed during his residency. His artwork “Five Views of Something Hidden 1” reflects Mount Taranaki, which towers above New Plymouth but is often hidden for days behind the clouds. Gabriel introduced his exhibition with this artwork. By placing it on a purpose-built wall at the gallery entrance it created a circular flow, which forced visitors to navigate around it to enter the space.

Gabriel was born in Mexico and studied at Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas (Mexico City) and Goldsmiths (London). He now lives in Belgium. His work places his observations of everyday life into formal aesthetics, resulting in witty and poetic works that challenge how we look at the world around us. He is internationally recognised for an artistic practice that encompasses sculpture, installation, drawing and photography.

Gabriel has exhibited throughout Europe, Latin America and the US. His work is held in private and public collections throughout the world including Tate Modern (London), Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Colección Jumex (Mexico City).

Gabriel's residency at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery was supported by the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki and Creative NZ Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.

Published 02 November 2023