Prem Sahib: Side On

Entry with Day Membership

For his first institutional solo exhibition in London, Prem Sahib presents new and recent work in the Lower and Upper Galleries at the ICA. A palpable sense of the body and human touch permeates throughout Sahib’s works, which comprise sculpture, paintings, works on paper and performance. Often minimal and sparse in colour, Sahib’s works invariably stand in for the body rather than offering a figurative representation. Through objects, performances and installations, Sahib explores both formal and autobiographical themes, relating often to intimacy, sexuality, relationships, desire and community. Sahib is interested in exploring the relationship between public and personal spaces, often evoking a sense of intimate encounters that remain hidden from plain sight in public places.

Sahib’s work is informed by an interest in the architecture and atmosphere of spaces that act as meeting places, particularly for gay communities within cities such as London or Berlin, for example clubs and other cruising locations, or the internet. Sahib also considers these communities within the wider context of club culture. In parallel with his practice is Sahib’s collaborative live practice, hosting DJ and performance nights at various venues. Significantly, Sahib collaborates with his peers, Eddie Peake and George Henry Longly, on a peripatetic club night Anal House Meltdown which has regularly taken place in east London and other cities in Europe.

Born in London in 1982, Prem Sahib lives and works in London. Recent solo exhibitions include Tongues, Jhaveri Contemporary, Mumbai, India, 2014; Night Flies at Southard Reid, and Frieze Frame presentation; Back Chat, Lorcan O’Neill Gallery, Rome, 2013; He Looked Me Up, Marian Cramer Projects, Amsterdam, and FEEL UP in collaboration with Eddie Peake, Southard Reid, London, 2012. Group exhibitions include Britain Can Make It, Hayward Gallery; I am here but you've gone, Fiorucci Art Trust, London, 2015; Burning Down the House, Gwangju Biennale; Listening, Hayward Touring exhibition curated by Sam Belinfante, Baltic, Newcastle, 2014. Performances include Woman to Woman, Gallery Vela, London, 2012; Bijou, IBID Projects, London, and Darkroom with Eddie Peake, Vogue Fabrics, Take Courage London 2011.

Exhibition party: 23 September, 7pm-1am
With DJs Alex Padfield, Eddie Peake and George Henry Longly

Lead Programme Supporter: Maryam and Edward Eisler.

Supported by Cockayne – Grants for the Arts, The London Community Foundation.

With additional support from Galleria Lorcan O'Neill, Southard Reid and the Prem Sahib Exhibition Supporters Group.