26 November 2009
Michael Landy is to become the eighth National Gallery associate artist. He will be working at the Gallery for a period of two years, making works responding to the collection.
Landy, who hopes to start work in the Gallery studio in January, is best known for his monumental installation ‘Break Down’ (2001). In this work he systematically destroyed all of his possessions in a former department store. He also reproduced his parents’ home inside Tate Britain as part of ‘Semi-Detached’ (2004).
About Michael Landy
Born in London in 1963, Landy studied at Goldsmiths alongside Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas. His work varies from epic performances to meticulous drawings and collages. Recent projects include a series of pencil portraits depicting family, friends and fellow artists. These works will be the subject of a 2010 exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
Associate artist scheme
The Rootstein Hopkins Foundation Associate Artist Scheme enables leading contemporary artists to work with the National Gallery Collection, demonstrating the continuing inspiration of the Old Master tradition.
The artist is given a studio for a period of two years, producing work that in some way connects to the National Gallery Collection.
Recent associate artists include Alison Watt, John Virtue and Ron Mueck.