An art installation made by a Kingston University professor commissioned by Tate Britain is now displayed in the Town House as part of the Kingston Spotlight series.
Kingston School of Art (KSA) professor Mike Nelson, 52, created his major work, The Asset Strippers, by looking at online salvage auctions for industrial machinery.
Speaking to The Guardian, Nelson said: “There’s stuff from old haulage companies and from plastic, metal, woodworking, knitwear and textile industries. Farming is in there as well.
“To some degree, it’s dictated by what was around when I was looking. The work is based on online auctions, where they’re asset-stripping companies.”
Nelson made The Asset Strippers for the annual Tate Britain Commission back in March 2019.
The collection was on show at Tate Britain’s Duveen galleries from March to October 2019, but a selection of works has been living in KU’s new Town House building since February 17.
Kingston Spotlight is a programme of events and exhibitions which celebrates KU’s past and future.
Nelson also said that each object in the collection was chosen to represent the decline in industry in post-war Britain.
Nelson represented Britain at the Venice Biennale Art Exhibition in 2011 and, on top of that, was nominated for the Turner Prize in both 2001 and 2007.
Shaunelle Harrydass-Clark
Emma Farr
Balsam Maki