Past Exhibition

Hātarei 26 Noema -
Hātarei 17 Tīhema

Saturday 26 November -
Saturday 17 December

2016

Partially dismantled desk fan containing sliced cucumber — Image: Daphne Simons, *Desk Fan*, 2016.

Judging by the mess, whoever has broken in seems to have spent quite a while in here searching for something. The culprits were long gone and so were his most important tools; the scissors, electric clippers, razor blades, everything sharp basically. I felt sorry for the guy, what was he going to do now? I made a half-hearted attempt to console him. “You’ll be alright, just improvise with what’s left”.

Seeking to problematise familiar objects and processes, Stone Cold Cuts is an exhibition that delves into the basic functions performed within barbershops/hair salons. By removing the most integral pieces of equipment from this setting, new types of devices and scenarios are conspired. The resulting sculptural experiments that feature in Stone Cold Cuts vary in purpose, shape, material, and ease of use, designed to be demonstrated by gallery staff throughout the exhibition.

To make this exhibition possible, Daphne Simons has received additional support from the Jan Warburton Trust.

Stone Cold Cuts Demonstration with Daphne
Saturday 26 November, 2-3pm.

Daphne Simons, Stone Cold Cuts, 2016.

Daphne Simons

Daphne Simons (NL) is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Their work traverses sculpture, video, drawing and self publishing. Unapologetically ridiculous and camp, their work draws from a referential whirlpool of gender performance, media and technology as they love to exaggerate these references to push the limits of queer (dis)identification.

Daphne has a Master of Fine Arts from the Piet Zwart Institute (NL), and has exhibited in Aotearoa and abroad. Recent projects include SMASH (2024) at MEANWHILE Gallery (NZ); First Impressions (2023) at Gastatelier Leo XIII (NL); Tamara and the Swan (2023) at San Mei Gallery (UK); Peach Teats at the Dude Ranch (2023) at Te Tuhi (NZ); I Found it on the Internet (2022) at The Performance Arcade (NZ); and POISON PAWN (2021) at RM (NZ). Alongside their solo practice, their long-term collaborations are with Josie Perry (Plasma Spring), and with Li-Ming Hu (RIFF RAFF). These projects and more can be viewed on their website, www.daphnesimons.com

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Past Exhibition