Kunsthall Stavanger, October 24, 2024 – February 9, 2025
This October, Kunsthall Stavanger will debut the first Norwegian exhibition by the British-Thai artist Mark Corfield-Moore, titled We Speak Chicken. This exhibition, an expanded iteration of a major body of work first commissioned by Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA) in London, delves into the complexities of memory, communication, and cultural identity. Through a distinctive blend of painting and weaving, Corfield-Moore creates visual narratives that transcend language barriers and invite reflection on personal history and collective experience.
The Artist’s Hybrid Approach: Weaving Memory and Place
At the core of Corfield-Moore’s practice is the innovative use of ikat weaving, a traditional method he mastered in Northern Thailand. This technique, known for its “glitchiness,” offers a visual metaphor for the distortion and fragmentation inherent in memory. Rather than tie-dying the threads as traditionally practiced, Corfield-Moore directly paints onto the warp before weaving. This unique method introduces a sense of “fizzy heat” into his work, where legibility dissolves into abstraction. This process becomes an expressive tool for the artist, capturing the fluidity of memory, especially when the past becomes clouded by time and distance.
Corfield-Moore’s paintings aren’t simply artistic representations—they are imbued with his own lived experiences. His choice of architectural imagery, often referencing buildings or spaces from his childhood, weaves personal and cultural histories into the fabric of his art. By distorting these scenes, Corfield-Moore mirrors how we reconstruct memories—sometimes clear, at other times fragmented or altered.
We Speak Chicken: Language, Love, and Cultural Connection
The title of the exhibition, We Speak Chicken, stems from a deeply personal space in the artist’s life. Corfield-Moore and his Thai mother do not share a common spoken language. Instead, food and cooking become their primary means of communication. This title reflects the artist’s exploration of non-verbal communication and the intricate ways in which we express love, understanding, and connection.
This exhibition invites visitors to engage with the poetics of these alternative communication methods. Through text, image, and material, Corfield-Moore’s works generate dialogue, bridging the gap between past and present, the artist and the audience, and between individuals who may share experiences that defy articulation.
A Unique Viewing Experience
At Kunsthall Stavanger, We Speak Chicken will feature new commissions created specifically for the exhibition, further expanding Corfield-Moore’s exploration of memory, identity, and cultural narratives. These works invite the viewer into a meditative experience, where visual ambiguity and the tactile nature of weaving engage the senses and provoke personal reflection. Corfield-Moore’s hybrid works challenge the notion of a static past, suggesting that our memories and histories are ever-evolving, much like the works themselves.
About the Artist
Born in Bangkok in 1988, Mark Corfield-Moore now lives and works in Hastings, UK. His recent exhibitions include solo shows at Goldsmiths CCA in London (2024), Devonshire Collective in Eastbourne (2023), and Alzueta Gallery in Barcelona (2022). His works have also been featured in group exhibitions across Europe, including the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and the Saatchi Gallery in London. Corfield-Moore’s ability to blend painting and weaving has garnered him a reputation for pushing the boundaries of both mediums, creating deeply personal yet universally resonant works.
Exhibition Details
Exhibition Title: We Speak Chicken
Dates: October 24, 2024 – February 9, 2025
Venue: Kunsthall Stavanger, Madlaveien 33, Stavanger, Norway
Opening Event: October 24, 2024, at 6 PM
Curator: Heather Jones
For more information, visit the Kunsthall Stavanger website or contact the institution directly.
This exhibition offers a compelling exploration of communication and memory through the delicate and powerful medium of weaving. Mark Corfield-Moore’s We Speak Chicken will undoubtedly resonate with audiences seeking to engage with art that transcends cultural and linguistic divides, providing an introspective experience that is as personal as it is universal.
All images © by Kunsthall Stavanger. Feel free to browse WE AND THE COLOR’s Art section for more.