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Mark Handforth - Artists - Luhring Augustine
Mark Handforth - Artists - Luhring Augustine

Mark Handforth
PhoneBone, 2011
Cast aluminum and enamel paint
240 x 80.5 x 50.5 inches
(609.6 x 204.5 x 128.3 cm)
MCA, Chicago, September 07 – October 10, 2011

Mark Handforth’s works are interventions in space: they offer novel engagements within existing environments and assert new perspectives on familiar fixtures. His sculptures displace quotidian objects and recontextualize their forms in unexpected articulations. In some of his iconic works the bodies of streetlamps, traffic signs, and telephones whimsically buckle, twist, and droop. The seemingly defunct and defeated contortions of Handforth’s forms is countered by a gracefulness imparted by his meticulous craftmanship; this incongruity imbues the works with a wry humor and an endearing pathos. Incorporating materials such as spray-painted metals, burning candles, and neon lights, Handforth’s works reference urban streetscapes in their post-punk aesthetic and utilitarian minimalism, while the capricious scale and juxtapositions draw on the legacies of Surrealism and Dadaist absurdism.

Handforth was born in Hong Kong in 1969 and grew up in London; he currently lives and works in Miami and New York. He completed his studies in the early 1990s at the Slade School of Fine Art, London, and at the Städelschule, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Recent solo shows include White-Light-Whirlwind at San Carlo in Cremona, Italy; Dr Pepper, ICA Miami; Smoke, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea Villa Croce, Genoa, Italy; Sidewalk Island, Governors Island, New York; Rolling Stop, Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami; MCA Chicago Plaza Project: Mark Handforth, Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago; Hessel Museum of Art, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY. Handforth’s work has been included in group exhibitions and biennials at institutions such as Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Musée d’art moderne et contemporain, Geneva; Kunsthaus Zürich; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and the Hammer Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles. His work is in the collection of major international institutions such as the Dallas Museum of Art; Carnegie Museum of Art, Philadelphia; Museo Jumex, Mexico City; Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris; LUMA Foundation, Arles, France; Fonds régional d'art contemporain (FRAC), France; The Pinault Collection, Paris; Le Consortium, Dijon, France; Mairie de la Ville de Paris; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Perez Art Museum, Miami; Rachofsky Collection, Dallas; Région Rhône-Alpes, France; Rubell Museum, Miami; Speed Art Museum, Louisville; Vanhaerents Art Collection, Brussels; and Whitney Museum of American Art.

Artworks Nested Slideshow

Artworks Nested Slideshow Thumbnails
Mark Handforth
Bela Lugosi, 2023
Cast Aluminum
109 x 24 x 12 inches
(276.9 x 61 x 30.5 cm)

Mark Handforth
Bela Lugosi, 2023
Cast Aluminum
109 x 24 x 12 inches
(276.9 x 61 x 30.5 cm)

Mark Handforth
Dog Star, 2018
Painted aluminum
109 x 120 x 58 inches
(276.9 x 304.8 x 147.3 cm)

Mark Handforth
Dog Star, 2018
Painted aluminum
109 x 120 x 58 inches
(276.9 x 304.8 x 147.3 cm)

Mark Handforth
Jade Garden, 2018
Aluminum and polyurethane paint
96 x 60 x 22 inches
(243.8 x 152.4 x 55.9 cm)

Mark Handforth
Jade Garden, 2018
Aluminum and polyurethane paint
96 x 60 x 22 inches
(243.8 x 152.4 x 55.9 cm)

Mark Handforth
Panda Disponibile, 2017
Mixed media
575.25 x 1334.6 x 584.6 inches
(1461.1 x 3389.9 x 1484.9 cm)

Installation view, Analog Spring, Sant'Andrea de Scaphis, Rome, April 13 – June 17, 2017

Mark Handforth
Panda Disponibile, 2017
Mixed media
575.25 x 1334.6 x 584.6 inches
(1461.1 x 3389.9 x 1484.9 cm)

Installation view, Analog Spring, Sant'Andrea de Scaphis, Rome, April 13 – June 17, 2017

Mark Handforth
Painted Phone, 2013
Aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel
300 x 48 x 24 inches
(762 x 121.9 x 61 cm)
Installation view, Sidewalk Island, Governors Island, New York, 2014

Mark Handforth
Painted Phone, 2013
Aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel
300 x 48 x 24 inches
(762 x 121.9 x 61 cm)
Installation view, Sidewalk Island, Governors Island, New York, 2014

Mark Handforth
White Star, 2016
Aluminum, paint
112 x 120 x 50 inches
(284.5 x 304.8 x 127 cm)

Installation view, Snow White and Pink Panther, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, June 12 – July 23, 2016

Mark Handforth
White Star, 2016
Aluminum, paint
112 x 120 x 50 inches
(284.5 x 304.8 x 127 cm)

Installation view, Snow White and Pink Panther, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, June 12 – July 23, 2016

Mark Handforth
Twisted  Lampost Star (L'Etoile de Bagnolet), 2012
Steel, aluminum, paint and lamp head
711 inches
(1805.9 cm)
Permanent installation, Porte de Bagnolet, Paris

Mark Handforth
Twisted  Lampost Star (L'Etoile de Bagnolet), 2012
Steel, aluminum, paint and lamp head
711 inches
(1805.9 cm)
Permanent installation, Porte de Bagnolet, Paris

Mark Handforth
PhoneBone, 2011
Cast aluminum and enamel paint
240 x 80.5 x 50.5 inches
(609.6 x 204.5 x 128.3 cm)
Installation view, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, September 7 – October 10, 2011

Mark Handforth
PhoneBone, 2011
Cast aluminum and enamel paint
240 x 80.5 x 50.5 inches
(609.6 x 204.5 x 128.3 cm)
Installation view, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, September 7 – October 10, 2011

Mark Handforth
Electric Tree, 2011
Fluorescent light and fixtures
Dimensions variable
Griffing Park, North Miami, FL

Mark Handforth
Electric Tree, 2011
Fluorescent light and fixtures
Dimensions variable
Griffing Park, North Miami, FL

Mark Handforth
Silver Wishbone, 2010
Aluminum
348 x 219 x 90 inches
(883.9 x 556.3 x 228.6 cm)

Mark Handforth
Silver Wishbone, 2010
Aluminum
348 x 219 x 90 inches
(883.9 x 556.3 x 228.6 cm)

Mark Handforth
(From left to right)
Big Green Star, 2008, Steel polyurethane paint, 132 x 52 x 109 inches (335.3 x 132.1 x 276.9 cm)
RopeSnakes, 2008, Cast bronze, 96 x 60 x 90.5 inches (243.8 x 152.4 x 229.9 cm)
Tumbleweed, 2008, Fluorescent light and fixtures, 485 x 11 x 180 inches (1231.9 x 27.9 x 457.2 cm)

Installation view, Gavin Brown's Enterprise, New York, March 1 – March 29, 2008

Mark Handforth
(From left to right)
Big Green Star, 2008, Steel polyurethane paint, 132 x 52 x 109 inches (335.3 x 132.1 x 276.9 cm)
RopeSnakes, 2008, Cast bronze, 96 x 60 x 90.5 inches (243.8 x 152.4 x 229.9 cm)
Tumbleweed, 2008, Fluorescent light and fixtures, 485 x 11 x 180 inches (1231.9 x 27.9 x 457.2 cm)

Installation view, Gavin Brown's Enterprise, New York, March 1 – March 29, 2008

Mark Handforth
Mr. Maccarone, 2008
Stainless steel, aluminum, polyurethane paint
135 x 108.25 x 94.5 inches
(342.9 x 275 x 240 cm)

Installation view, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, August 30, 2008 – October 11, 2008

Mark Handforth
Mr. Maccarone, 2008
Stainless steel, aluminum, polyurethane paint
135 x 108.25 x 94.5 inches
(342.9 x 275 x 240 cm)

Installation view, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, August 30, 2008 – October 11, 2008

Mark Handforth
Deepest Purple, 2004
Fluorescent Lights, colored gels, and fixtures
118 x 102.37 x 5.5 inches
(299.7 x 260 x 14 cm)

Mark Handforth
Deepest Purple, 2004
Fluorescent Lights, colored gels, and fixtures
118 x 102.37 x 5.5 inches
(299.7 x 260 x 14 cm)

Mark Handforth
DiamondBrite, 2004
Aluminum and reflective vinyl text
120 x 144 x 60 inches
(304 x 365.8 x 152.4 cm)

Installation view, Whitney Biennial 2004, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, March 11 – May 30, 2004

Mark Handforth
DiamondBrite, 2004
Aluminum and reflective vinyl text
120 x 144 x 60 inches
(304 x 365.8 x 152.4 cm)

Installation view, Whitney Biennial 2004, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, March 11 – May 30, 2004

Mark Handforth
Installation view of Mark Handforth at Le Consortium, Dijon
October 19, 2003 – January 31, 2004

Mark Handforth
Installation view of Mark Handforth at Le Consortium, Dijon
October 19, 2003 – January 31, 2004

Mark Handforth
Lamppost, 2003
Aluminum lamppost, enamel paint, and red lights
192 x 300 x 192 inches
(487.7 x 762 x 487.7 cm)

Installation view, In the Public Realm, Central Park, New York, April 24 – June 6, 2003
Commissioned by the Public Art Fund

Mark Handforth
Lamppost, 2003
Aluminum lamppost, enamel paint, and red lights
192 x 300 x 192 inches
(487.7 x 762 x 487.7 cm)

Installation view, In the Public Realm, Central Park, New York, April 24 – June 6, 2003
Commissioned by the Public Art Fund

Mark Handforth
Jack Smith, 2002
Steel pipe and candles
120 x 84 x 96 inches
(304.8 x 213.4 x 243.8 cm)

Mark Handforth
Jack Smith, 2002
Steel pipe and candles
120 x 84 x 96 inches
(304.8 x 213.4 x 243.8 cm)

Mark Handforth
Vespa, 2001
Mixed media
47.25 x 39.375 x 19.75 inches
(120 x 100 x 50.2 cm)

Mark Handforth
Vespa, 2001
Mixed media
47.25 x 39.375 x 19.75 inches
(120 x 100 x 50.2 cm)

Mark Handforth
Bela Lugosi, 2023
Cast Aluminum
109 x 24 x 12 inches
(276.9 x 61 x 30.5 cm)
Mark Handforth
Dog Star, 2018
Painted aluminum
109 x 120 x 58 inches
(276.9 x 304.8 x 147.3 cm)
Mark Handforth
Jade Garden, 2018
Aluminum and polyurethane paint
96 x 60 x 22 inches
(243.8 x 152.4 x 55.9 cm)
Mark Handforth
Panda Disponibile, 2017
Mixed media
575.25 x 1334.6 x 584.6 inches
(1461.1 x 3389.9 x 1484.9 cm)

Installation view, Analog Spring, Sant'Andrea de Scaphis, Rome, April 13 – June 17, 2017
Mark Handforth
Painted Phone, 2013
Aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel
300 x 48 x 24 inches
(762 x 121.9 x 61 cm)
Installation view, Sidewalk Island, Governors Island, New York, 2014
Mark Handforth
White Star, 2016
Aluminum, paint
112 x 120 x 50 inches
(284.5 x 304.8 x 127 cm)

Installation view, Snow White and Pink Panther, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, June 12 – July 23, 2016
Mark Handforth
Twisted  Lampost Star (L'Etoile de Bagnolet), 2012
Steel, aluminum, paint and lamp head
711 inches
(1805.9 cm)
Permanent installation, Porte de Bagnolet, Paris
Mark Handforth
PhoneBone, 2011
Cast aluminum and enamel paint
240 x 80.5 x 50.5 inches
(609.6 x 204.5 x 128.3 cm)
Installation view, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, September 7 – October 10, 2011
Mark Handforth
Electric Tree, 2011
Fluorescent light and fixtures
Dimensions variable
Griffing Park, North Miami, FL
Mark Handforth
Silver Wishbone, 2010
Aluminum
348 x 219 x 90 inches
(883.9 x 556.3 x 228.6 cm)
Mark Handforth
(From left to right)
Big Green Star, 2008, Steel polyurethane paint, 132 x 52 x 109 inches (335.3 x 132.1 x 276.9 cm)
RopeSnakes, 2008, Cast bronze, 96 x 60 x 90.5 inches (243.8 x 152.4 x 229.9 cm)
Tumbleweed, 2008, Fluorescent light and fixtures, 485 x 11 x 180 inches (1231.9 x 27.9 x 457.2 cm)

Installation view, Gavin Brown's Enterprise, New York, March 1 – March 29, 2008
Mark Handforth
Mr. Maccarone, 2008
Stainless steel, aluminum, polyurethane paint
135 x 108.25 x 94.5 inches
(342.9 x 275 x 240 cm)

Installation view, Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zurich, August 30, 2008 – October 11, 2008
Mark Handforth
Deepest Purple, 2004
Fluorescent Lights, colored gels, and fixtures
118 x 102.37 x 5.5 inches
(299.7 x 260 x 14 cm)
Mark Handforth
DiamondBrite, 2004
Aluminum and reflective vinyl text
120 x 144 x 60 inches
(304 x 365.8 x 152.4 cm)

Installation view, Whitney Biennial 2004, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, March 11 – May 30, 2004
Mark Handforth
Installation view of Mark Handforth at Le Consortium, Dijon
October 19, 2003 – January 31, 2004
Mark Handforth
Lamppost, 2003
Aluminum lamppost, enamel paint, and red lights
192 x 300 x 192 inches
(487.7 x 762 x 487.7 cm)

Installation view, In the Public Realm, Central Park, New York, April 24 – June 6, 2003
Commissioned by the Public Art Fund
Mark Handforth
Jack Smith, 2002
Steel pipe and candles
120 x 84 x 96 inches
(304.8 x 213.4 x 243.8 cm)
Mark Handforth
Vespa, 2001
Mixed media
47.25 x 39.375 x 19.75 inches
(120 x 100 x 50.2 cm)

Videos

Mark Handforth speaking about his exhibition, Half-Sleep-City

Mark Handforth speaking about his exhibition, Half-Sleep-City
May 6 – July 28, 2023
Luhring Augustine Tribeca, New York

Contact

For more information, please contact Donald Johnson Montenegro at donald@luhringaugustine.com.

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