Cerith Wyn Evans puts the concept of mechanism through its paces in White Cube show
The Welsh artist’s latest exhibition is a captivating continuation of his exploration of transcendence, translation and temporality

Throughout his practice, Cerith Wyn Evans has deconstructed and pushed the concept of language, light and sound to its limits. His latest show, ‘No realm of thought...No field of vision’ at White Cube Bermondsey, which runs in tandem with Wyn Evans’ largest solo show to date at Milan’s Pirelli HangarBicocca, proves why he is one of contemporary art’s most respected.
Drawing on the thematic potential and erotic resonance of mechanised sculptures from the 20th century combined with present-day innovations, this new body of work is an amalgamation of the artist’s inspirations, interpretations and self-reflections. Interweaving different trains of thought on the subject of mechanism, installations are suspended, obscured and mirrored, forming a captivating yet disorientating experience. Consisting of 25 sculptures utilising the mediums of light, text, glass and paint, the exhibition sees Wyn Evans inject meticulous detail into every individual piece
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
Channeling Duchamp and other 20th-century artists, much of the show evokes an emotive sense of reflection and uncertainty over our own physical futures – works point to key moments in our human understanding of mechanism and are displayed using autonomous technology. In Composition of flutes, 11 crystal flutes are played through by two mechanical ‘breathing’ units suspended from ceiling with threads and cable.
Wyn Evans’ relationship to language is of continual fascination, and the artist has consistently constructed environments to explore its notions. Here, he uses language to create multiple veils, both linguistic and physical. An architectural wall of neon sculpture – a Wyn Evans specialty – partially obscures a selection of works behind. The wall features a passage from Marcel Proust’s novel À la recherche du temps perdu translated into Japanese kanji.
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
Elsewhere, the artist uses new mediums to confront the exhibition’s themes: Still life (In course of arrangement)...VI is two rotating pleached trees placed against each other and lit by spotlights, referencing the earliest forms of mechanised moving images. A dedication to his own practice is what makes Wyn Evans’ White Cube show so compelling, looking not only to art and humanity’s mechanical past but also drawing from his own to look forward.
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
© Cerith Wyn Evans. Courtesy of White Cube
INFORMATION
‘No realm of thought...No field of vision’, until 19 April, White Cube Bermondsey. whitecube.com
ADDRESS
White Cube Bermondsey
144-152, Bermondsey Street
London SE1 3TQ
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
The ultimate beach accessory? The Fiat Topolino Vilebrequin is a true meeting of minds
Fiat has teamed up with swimwear specialists Vilebrequin to create a Collector’s Edition of the pint-sized Topolino EV that pays homage to the glamour of Riviera life
-
Multi-functional furniture, integrated planting and a felt landscape shape this new office
Zeller & Moye’s new HQ space for a German IT company has been designed to accommodate every kind of office working situation, from introverted cubicles through to flexible open-plan spaces
-
Step inside a Hollywood Hills home where European design meets Californian ease
LA studio Broad Project takes us inside its cinematic renovation of a 1960s Spanish Revival home in the Hollywood Hills
-
Leila Bartell’s cloudscapes are breezily distorted, a response to an evermore digital world
‘Memory Fields’ is the London-based artist’s solo exhibition at Tristan Hoare Gallery (until 25 July 2025)
-
A bespoke 40m mixed-media dragon is the centrepiece of Glastonbury’s new chill-out area
New for 2025 is Dragon's Tail – a space to offer some calm within Glastonbury’s late-night area with artwork by Edgar Phillips at its heart
-
Emerging artist Kasia Wozniak’s traditional photography techniques make for ethereal images
Wozniak’s photographs, taken with a 19th-century Gandolfi camera, are currently on show at Incubator, London
-
Vincent Van Gogh and Anselm Kiefer are in rich and intimate dialogue at the Royal Academy of Arts
German artist Anselm Kiefer has paid tribute to Van Gogh throughout his career. When their work is viewed together, a rich relationship is revealed
-
Alice Adams, Louise Bourgeois, and Eva Hesse delve into art’s ‘uckiness’ at The Courtauld
New exhibition ‘Abstract Erotic’ (until 14 September 2025) sees artists experiment with the grotesque
-
Get lost in Megan Rooney’s abstract, emotional paintings
The artist finds worlds in yellow and blue at Thaddaeus Ropac London
-
Out of office: the Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the week
It was a jam-packed week for the Wallpaper* staff, entailing furniture, tech and music launches and lots of good food – from afternoon tea to omakase
-
London calling! Artists celebrate the city at Saatchi Yates
London has long been an inspiration for both superstar artists and newer talent. Saatchi Yates gathers some of the best