Material Actors

Hypha Gallery 3 / No. 1 Poultry, London EC2R 8EN

PV: Thursday, 24th September 2025, 6-9pm

Open: 25 September – 1 November 2025, Wednesday – Saturday, 12 – 6pm

Binder of Women collective presents an exhibition of contemporary female-identifying artists at No. 1 Poultry who operate at the overlap of reality and fantasy, playing with expectations and
experience of material forms and re-appraising object performativity. ‘Material Actors’ explores the tipping point of formal representation into the theatrical and cinematic world of mimicry and artifice. When does play-acting become real? Can crocodile tears gain sincerity?

The exhibition brings together existing and newly created works in a range of media including painting, installation, moving image and sculpture at the magnificent No. 1 Poultry building in the heart of Bank in which artists have been invited to play with a full spectrum of grandeur, from the grossly theatrical to the boldly mundane. The exhibition draws inspiration from the anti-hierarchical and broad influence of the postmodern style epitomised by James Stirling’s architectural design which exudes a functional and somewhat excessive presence – a material attention seeker in a sea of normality. The exterior recalls Egyptian pyramids, cruise ships and Mediterranean villas while the interior space of Gallery 3 retains elements of its previous use as a gym in which users wore costumes that deliver electric shocks to muscles during exercise. This unusual mirrored setting is an energetic and eclectic space in which to welcome community and dialogue with fellow artists and locals in this distinctive location.

Binder of Women creates enduring links between artists at all stages of their careers, nurturing a collaborative and supportive spirit. We have extended this to the curation, bringing together existing members of the community and inviting new ones to join our evolving collective.