Mona Hatoum - Encounters: Giacometti

Second in a series of exhibitions at a new space in the Barbican showing work of contemporary artists alongside some by Alberto Giacometti.

I missed the first show but was excited to see this as I like Giacometti's work but I found it quite confusing. All the explanation of the work was in a rather cumbersome leaflet which was too big to use while walking around with a lot to read. The sculpture on show was fighting a bright sun in just the wrong position when I went and a rather exciting view of the Barbican Centre.

The contemporary artist featured this time was Mona Hatoum who, according to the blurb, investigates the impact of political instability on individuals and groups. I'm not sure I would have understood that from looking at the work. It did have a certain resonance with hindsight going on the day that Trump bombed Venezuela however the work itself didn't move me. 

Closed 11 January 2026

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