Lightroom
About The Show
Bringing the groundbreaking work of Henri Matisse to life through state-of-the-art projection across Lightroom’s four 11-metre-high walls and floor, Matisse: Joy with new artwork by Yinka Ilori explores six decades of the pioneering 20th-century artist’s practice, from his vibrant paintings and intimate portraits to his radical paper cut-outs. This new show explores Matisse’s joy in making and his determined, relentless search for self-expression.
In a generation-spanning dialogue, Matisse: Joy also presents artwork by British-Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori MBE. Known for his bold, colourful visual language rooted in his dual heritage, Ilori offers a contemporary lens through which to see Matisse anew, reflecting on their shared themes of colour and shape, deceptive simplicity, the hard work of being an artist, and the power of serenity and joy.
Directed by Tom Wexler of Journey (David Bowie: You’re Not Alone) and designed by Journey, Matisse: Joy has been created in consultation with art historian Ann Dumas MBE, who has curated exhibitions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Sound Design by Pippa Murphy
What You’ll See
Audiences will be immersed in paintings such as Joy of Life and The Dance, with its whirling, ecstatic energy; the playful shapes and joyful colours of The Snail; and the serene, transcendent simplicity of the Blue Nudes.
From intimate photography of Matisse at work to a recreation of the breathtaking Matisse Chapel in Vence, Lightroom’s unique 360° canvas creates an unprecedented chance to see the works up close in astonishing detail, vibrancy and scale.
The show also features a range of works – including a brand new piece – by Yinka Ilori MBE. These works, alongside bespoke commentary by Ilori, explore colour, emotion and expression, allowing us to explore these themes through a contemporary lens.
What You’ll Hear
The show is accompanied by voice-over drawn from Matisse’s own writings: diaries, letters, notebooks and journals.
The visuals are complemented by an energetic soundtrack and sound design by Sound Designer Pippa Murphy (Tracey Emin – A Second Life, Tate Modern), with the sections featuring Yinka Ilori’s work accompanied by music selected by composer, sound artist and curator Peter Adjaye (Dialogues – Music for Architecture).
