Bustamante work explores the link between photography and sculpture

Curtis’s final project, which puts a spotlight on the work of French artist Jean-Marc Bustamante, was something of a labour of love for the gallery’s former curator.

Dead Calm brings together photographs and sculptures created by the internationally renowned Bustamante and is part of a series of solo exhibitions of work by artists who push the normal boundaries of sculpture.

“I always liked to see his work, but I could never quite put my finger on what it was that was so intrigued me,” says Penelope. “By working with him on this exhibition I came to realise that while he often takes ordinary subjects as a starting point he makes us see the world around us in a new way.”

Penelope collaborated with the artist, whose photographic work in the 1970s blurred the boundaries between photography and painting, on the final selection. It represents only a small part of his extensive portfolio, but alongside the photographs it also includes some of his sculptures and installations.

Visitors to the gallery will have the chance to see Bustamante’s Stationnaire II, a series of 12 concrete boxes, each containing a photograph of cypress trees.

“In the 1980s, Bustamante began to investigate the relationship between photography and sculpture. While his outdoor photographs reveal a fascination with the natural and built worlds, the use of concrete sculpture allows these ideas to be developed in three dimensions.

“His work throws normal relationships off balance and calls us too look harder and think deeper about all that surrounds us.”

Curtis was curator of HMI from 1999 to 2009 when she became the first woman to be named as director of Tate Britain. During her decade in charge she did much to raise the profile of the gallery and while she may have moved on, that good work looks set to continue.

Following Dead Calm, the venue will play host to the first solo exhibition of work by the Italian sculpture Mario Merz, who died at the age of 78 in 2003.

Using neon, newsprint and bags of clay, the exhibition will provide a showcase for a number of his most thought-provoking works.

Jean-Marc Bustamante’s Dead Calm is at the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, April 21 to June 26. The artist will give a pre-opening talk on the exhibition at 4.30pm on April 20. Admission is free, but places are limited. To book email [email protected] or call 0113 246 7467.