Gunpowder and Abstraction at the White Cube

Coinciding with Frieze London, Cai Guo-Qiang: Gunpowder and Abstraction 2015–2025 is the artist’s first project in London in over 20 years, following his iconic explosion event at Tate Modern in 2003.

This fascinating exhibition presents over 40 works that chart a decade of experimentation with gunpowder. In that time his methods for working with gunpowder have refined: each piece is first mapped by sprinkling the powder, then covered and weighted before ignition, so that the blast disperses, recomposes and fuses matter into image. His supports, too, have expanded beyond canvas and paper to encompass silk, porcelain, glass and mirror.

Venue: White Cube Bermondsey, 144–152 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ