Material Actors

Material Actors

Curated by Binder of Women

25 Sep—1 Nov 2025
Private view: Thursday, 24th September 2025, 6 – 9pm
Public Dates: Wednesday – Saturday, 12 – 6pm

Contact information
laurengodfrey89@gmail.com

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.

Material Actors
Artists in the show
  • Alice Browne
  • Charlie Franklin
  • Lauren Godfrey
  • Oona Grimes
  • Pia Pack
  • Milly Peck
  • Michelle Williams Gamaker
  • Laura White

Artwork List

Co Nect (Wunderkind)
Co Nect (Wunderkind)
Alice Browne , 2024
Etruscan children: Medea Syndrome #31
Etruscan children: Medea Syndrome #31
Oona Grimes , 2025
GROT
GROT
Charlie Franklin , 2023
Grow Over
Grow Over
Bodie Charlie Franklin , 2023
Portrait
Portrait
Milly Peck , 2020
Jerry’s lunch
Jerry’s lunch
Oona Grimes , 2014
Spurt 3
Spurt 3
Laura White , 2022
St. Seb
St. Seb
Alice Browne , 2025
Spurt 4
Spurt 4
Laura White , 2022
Spurtive 4
Spurtive 4
Laura White , 2022
Tatemono VII (Group)
Tatemono VII (Group)
Milly Peck , 2024
Spurtive 3
Spurtive 3
Laura White , 2022
You love once, I told you. Even when you love over and over again it is the same once, the same one. And you sent me your recipes – Ezra Pound Cake, Beef Mellarmé – and you wrote: Do you think if you eat one meal, every meal after that is the same meal, just because it too is a meal?
You love once, I told you. Even when you love over and over again it is the same once, the same one. And you sent me your recipes – Ezra Pound Cake, Beef Mellarmé – and you wrote: Do you think if you eat one meal, every meal after that is the same meal, just because it too is a meal?
Lauren Godfrey , 2015
ZSL V
ZSL V
Milly Peck , 2021
To and Fro
To and Fro
Lauren Godfrey in collaboration with Mary Godfrey , 2023
Toast
Toast
Oona Grimes , 2014