Review: Delaine Le Bas at the Turner Prize, Tate Britain
January 8, 2025Delaine Le Bas – a jerky, drippy, wondering and genuinely immersive exhibition installation on the themes of Death, the Oracle, Roma community and symbolism, and art itself.
Delaine Le Bas is a wild woman. I hope she won’t mind me saying so. The brief description on the Tate’s website reads “[the artist] transforms her surroundings into monumental immersive environments filled with painted fabrics, theatrical costumes, and sculptures. Her art draws on the rich cultural history of the Roma people and mythologies, focusing on themes of death, loss, and renewal.” I imagined something completely different. Of course, I was homing in on the fabric and costume side of things, and I thought this would be a good show to see and review for you, dear reader.
The Roma community is a huge one, and it spans many countries and ethnicities. I had imagined the heavy, richly colourful embroidery which is traditional to the Roma community in the former Yugoslavia. They have a particular fashion all to themselves, with colourful long skirts, blouses and a distinct way of dressing. I know artists from this community and their art focusses on these strengths and differences. However, Roma is a wide umbrella term, one that Tate apparently struggles to define, contenting itself in saying
Delaine le Bas’s installation, far from being colourful, is in the main ghostly white, with white translucent voile curtains and drapery painted in waterery, splashy black. There is a silver maze, and finally, yes, an allowance of colour, but nothing dense or heavy. This whole installation floats.
The Turner Prize is on at the Tate Britain until 16th Feb 2025. Entry price varies.
