in Art in Mayfair’s annual Sculptural Trail with Gavin Turk's large-scale sculpture, Figure, on Old Bond Street, alongside the permanent works by Henry Moore, Lawrence Holofcener, and Elisabeth Frink. Download the Smartifyapp, scan the artwork, and listen to the audio trail to discover the story behind each piece.
Standing at a height of two meters, Figure is a bronze sculpture that evokes the image of a weathered nail driven into the ground at an angle. Combining elements of humour and symbolism, this artwork acts as a catalyst for contemplation on the shifting role of traditional tools in the face of evolving paradigms, rendering them increasingly obsolete. Figure represents an object once used by Turk’s archetypal 'White Van Man,' a contemporary folkloric figure who stands as a plaintive statement and memorial for a changing Britain. The patina of rust that envelops the nail serves as a reminder of the inexorable passage of time, marking not only its diminishing functionality but also symbolising the encroachment of the natural world upon the realm of the man-made.
Seemingly driven into the ground at a 5° angle, Figure suggests the presence of something larger beneath the surface, inviting reflection on the surrounding space. In this regard, the nail becomes a symbol of absence, a void, emblematic of its status as an artifact from a bygone era. As observers approach, the nail morphs into an abstract form, while, from a distance, its familiar shape remains unmistakable. Through this interplay, Turk manipulates viewers' perceptions, prompting reflection on the evolving significance of objects amidst the march of progress.
