Lucio Fontana

Hayward Gallery, 14 October 1999 – 9 January 2000

Marketing Leaflet for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 Marketing Leaflet for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Hayward GalleryHayward Gallery

This full-scale retrospective at the Hayward Gallery featured more than 100 works, including Lucio Fontana's terracotta and ceramic sculptures, paintings and installations.

Installation view: Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999. Photo: John Riddy (1999) by Lucio FontanaHayward Gallery

Prior to this exhibition, Fontana’s work had been exhibited at the Hayward Gallery in group shows including Arte Italiana 1960-82 (1983) and Falls the Shadow: Recent British and European Art 1986 Hayward Annual (1986).

Installation view: Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999. Photo: John Riddy (1999) by Lucio FontanaHayward Gallery

The solo show, which took place in Fontana’s centenary year, was curated by Sarah Whitfield, an independent art historian, writer and curator.

Installation view: Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999. Photo: John Riddy (1999) by Lucio FontanaHayward Gallery

It spanned Fontana’s entire career, from the terracotta and ceramic pieces of the 1930s to the punctured and slashed canvases of the Buchi, Attese and the bronze Nature of the 1960s. Organised around five distinct themes, the exhibition attempted to show how sculpture remained fundamental to Fontana’s work, even when he worked with a two-dimensional canvas.

Lower Gallery Plans for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Hayward GalleryHayward Gallery

The exhibition was designed by architect Claudio Silvestrin.

Upper Gallery Plans for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Hayward GalleryHayward Gallery

A reconstructed version of Fontana’s Ambiente spaziale (1968), first built for Dokumenta IV, Kassel, was situated on one of the sculpture terraces. The architect Claudio Silvestrin was responsible for the exhibition design.

Claudio Silvestrin’s Designs for Plinths, Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 Claudio Silvestrin’s Designs for Plinths, Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Claudio SilvestrinHayward Gallery

Architect Claudio Silvestrin's designs for plinths.

Exhibition Guide for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 Exhibition Guide for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Hayward GalleryHayward Gallery

Exhibition guide for Lucio Fontana.

Music for Fontana LeafletHayward Gallery

During the exhibition, the London Sinfonietta played music within the gallery chosen to complement Fontana’s work.

Gallery Talks Programme for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999 (1999) by Hayward GalleryHayward Gallery

Artists and writers, including Guy Brett, hosted a series of in-gallery talks.

Draft Press Release for Lucio Fontana, Hayward Gallery, 1999Hayward Gallery

Draft press release for Lucio Fontana at Hayward Gallery.

Image missing

Private view invitation.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Hayward Gallery at 50: Uncovering the Archive
Celebrating 50 years of Hayward Gallery with a behind-the-scenes look at 50 ambitious, contemporary exhibitions through newly digitised archival material
View theme
Google apps