Art / Architecture
Inside the one-man exhibition showcasing ‘(Host)ile’ architecture
Alaric Hobbs recently completed a residency at The Vestibules with a collective known as The Island and has since opened his own individual exhibition named (Host)ile at Centrespace.
Hobbs’ previous work includes sculptures made from found objects and hand drawn illustrations of geometric forms, inspired by ancient symbols and natural beauty.
He believes that “art should be aesthetically pleasing and also convey deeper thought”, and his work frequently investigates the question of reality and our preoccupation with objects.
is needed now More than ever
(Host)ile is a series of sculptures which takes a more political stance, seeking to explore the injustice of hostile architecture and the measures taken to deter marginalised groups like sex workers, the homeless, and asylum seekers.
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The name of the exhibition is based on Hobbs’ interest in etymology, something which features prominently in his work, ‘host’ has roots in a Latin contronym, and the names of each sculpture are contextualised with their rich, and often contradictory etymological history.
Hobbs speaks of the ‘nice coincidence’ which often occurs in his work, where he intuitively finds words which end up perfectly matching his sculpture, or he has an ‘inkling that a certain part or piece is just going to fit nicely and smoothly into its place’, and these coincidences form the centre of his exhibition.
Many topical issues are addressed head on, ranging from the irony that the taxpayer paid for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral and King Charles’ coronation despite millions of people in the UK living in poverty, the impact of gentrification on the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and the experience of minority sex workers as they are ‘navigating a sex industry that perpetuates the dominant forms of oppression’.
The exhibition is fuelled by a desire to spread the word of equality and inclusion, something which Hobbs is passionate about.
Humble Abode
Air to The Throne
Pseudo Public Place
Throw Laden Mattress
Pallet Cleanser
Meat and Greet
Fuck Hostile Architecture
All photos: Alaric Hobbs
Read next:
- Flo Brooks and Asmaa Jama with Gouled Ahmed head up Spike Island’s summer exhibition programme
- Bristol Light Festival 2024 dates announced
- Finding community on Bristol’s walls
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