We are thrilled to announce that Kalliopi Lemos' Bag of Aspirations will now take centre stage at Yorkshire Sculpture Park's Formal Garden terrace.
The magnificent steel sculpture, which represents modern-day consumerist ideals, is a vastly scaled-up version of the famous Birkin handbag made by French fashion house Hermès.
Lemos uses items that are traditionally seen as feminine – such as necklaces and handbags – to consider how women are defined and constrained by society, not only in terms of their appearance, but also their hopes and expectations.
Though made of steel, the sculpture skilfully reflects the folds and creases of worn leather. The work is part of a series called Terms of Endearment, which all represent familiar objects associated with women, including a bra and corset, at an extraordinary and unfamiliar scale. Forged in hard steel their material also creates a stark contrast to their usual softness. Lemos refers to how women have to fortify themselves in the face of expectations from the outside world, so in one way these ‘tools’ can be seen as a female fighter’s suit of armour.
You can read more about the piece and organisation here
