Permindar Kaur: Dread Naught

Wolverhampton Art Gallery presents Permindar Kaur: Dread Naught, an exhibition of newly commissioned sculptures and important historic works by one of Britain’s most innovative sculptors. Known for manipulating materials in playful ways to create mystery and wonder, British artist Permindar Kaur came to prominence in the 1990s through exhibitions including British Art Show 4 (1995). She exhibited in Cold Comfort 1 and Cold Comfort 2 (Ikon Gallery and Mead Gallery, 1996) and Tate’s At Home with Art (1999), as well as international showings in Japan, Australia and the USA. Having been on the edge of the YBA (Young British Artists) and the Black British Art movement of the 1990s, Kaur was unusual as a Sikh woman working in contemporary visual art. She then took time out from her art career to raise a family and lived abroad for several years. Since returning to making, she has enjoyed a steady success including solo exhibitions at John Hansard Gallery and Pitzhager Manor & Gallery. Regionally, Kaur’s work can be seen in the sculpture park at Compton Verney, Warwickshire. Dread Naught is Kaur’s largest show of new work to date, and features newly commissioned monumental figures formed from copper, as well as several pieces from her early career, including a new iteration of Innocence (1993/2026), now in the Arts Council Collection. Several new commissions fill the space, notably a series of large figures made from copper outline, grounded with steel boots. They exist as ambiguous presences: are they soldiers? Civilians? Robots? Monsters? The works extend Permindar’s interest in protection, danger and security. Three local artists are co-creating new works with Wolverhampton community groups. Kanj Nicholas, India Birtwistle and Roo Dhissou are working with Sikh & Punjabi Women’s Group, Virtual School (children in care) and Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary respectively. Their artworks, themed on ‘What Connects Us’, will be displayed on market stalls in the gallery. The market stalls are presented alongside Teddy Bear Wallpaper (2026), created by Kaur for visitors to colour in. Permindar Kaur: Dread Naught is supported by the Henry Moore Foundation and with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Free Entry A series of events and activities are planned to explore Permindar’s work and themes and ideas in the exhibition. These include an artist talk in November 2026, a Study Day/ Salon foscusing on contemporary South Asian British Artists in February 2027, and participatory events that will ‘activate’ the market stalls. Details will follow. Permindar Kaur, Copper Giants (2026) Photo: Richard Davies