Overview
- Exhibition of Old Rope is on view at Stephen Friedman Gallery in Mayfair from 13 November to 20 December with free entry.
- Shrigley gathered roughly ten tonnes—about 20 miles if laid end to end—from climbing schools, tree surgeons, offshore wind farms, scaffolders, window cleaners, ports and UK shorelines.
- The material was cleaned and installed as four large piles across the gallery, ranging from Kevlar mooring cables to slim cords used on crab and lobster pots.
- Most of the rope is synthetic polyester and nylon that is difficult to recycle, and moving the work required about 60 pallets.
- Shrigley describes the £1 million price as a provocation and says a sale would surprise him, while the gallery says it will seek a private, institutional or foundation buyer.