During Frieze Art Fair 2009, The Embassy, a multi-disciplinary group show, presented works by Marco Brambilla, Terence Koh, Rosey Chan, Tom Gallant, Alastair Mackie, Oliver Clegg, Wolfe von Lenkiewicz, Bruce French, Henry Hudson, Michael Lisle-Taylor, Laurence Owen, Karim Rabik, Hugo Wilson and Yarisal & Kublitz. Curated by Dellal and Xerxes Cook, the exhibition was intended to be a “parody of outmoded cultural diplomacy in the form of an anonymous country’s embassy, a dystopia whose tyrannical government has tested the patience of its people and brought them to tipping point.” The show was produced by Alex Dellal’s 20 Hoxton Square Projects, in collaboration with Zoom Art Projects.

“A mixture of painting, sculpture and installation, works featured in The Embassy include a national anthem by the pianist Rosey Chan, a presidential palace built from mud by Alastair Mackie, a flag by Tom Gallant, and former service man, Michael Lisle-Taylor will present his Tournament of the Dirty Nurse, an ornately embroidered boxing ring still covered in the blood, sweat and tears from bouts that have taken place within it. Other works include paintings on old school desks by Oliver Clegg, lungs in three stages of the pulmonary cycle – shock, agitation and panic by Hugo Wilson and caricature regal portraits by Henry Hudson in his distinctive plasticine style.” (Excerpt from the press release).

The Embassy took place at the former residence of the Sierra Leonean ambassador to Britain, 33 Portland Place.

The Embassy, Private View, October 15, 2009. 33 Portland Place, London / UK.

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