Veronica Ryan, Sweet Dreams are Made of These

Sweet Dreams are Made of These
2022
Glazed ceramic stoneware, jute mat
15 x 213 x 213 cm

Ryan is renowned for her sculptural assemblages and exploration of history and identity. A pivotal figure in contemporary sculpture, she has strong ties to Barbara Hepworth’s legacy, winning the Turner Prize in 2022. In 2000, Ryan worked in Barbara Hepworth’s former studio in St. Ives, using marble from the Hepworth Estate to create sculptures that reflect both Hepworth’s influence and her own themes of form and identity.

Sweet Dreams are Made of These features vibrant ceramic casts of cacao pods, inspired by her memories of soursop fruits from Montserrat. These pods connect to her mother’s migration from the Caribbean and her quest for familiar produce in London. Ryan’s fascination with seeds extends beyond their growth to their symbolic meanings.

Presented by the Contemporary Art Society through its Special Partnership with the Henry Moore Foundation, supported by Cathy Wills, 2022/23

Photo: Michael Brzezinski