David Shrigley: Mayfair Tennis Ball Exchange

Simple but effective installation at the Stephen Friedman Gallery by David Shrigley.

The consisted of two rooms of neon tennis balls on narrow shelves and visitors are invited to bring an old tennis ball to swap with one of them so that over the course of the show the display will change plus people either have a new tennis ball or an art work depending how you view it. You also got a pin badge.

I wish I’d realised this was interactive as I’d have taken a dog ball along. Reading the press release again now it says Shrigley was inspired by his dog chasing balls. He said her interest was “more about exchange than possession”. You can’t help but love contemporary art inspired by a dog!

I was also amused by the poor gallery attendant who had put the balls back on the shelves after small children had knocked them off. We played spot the gap together for a few minutes.

Closes 8 January 2022

 

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