The roots of installation art can be seen in the international Surrealist exhibitions of 1930s Europe and in the happenings of Pop Art. Minimalism also influenced installation art, emphasising the importance of the space surrounding an artwork, and the play between object and environment.

Installation art provides a heightened experience for the spectator, creating a more immersive experience which often appeals to all the senses. Recent developments in technologies such as film and the internet have also influenced installation art, affecting its scale and interactivity.

Artists represented in this collection include Damien Hirst, Yinka Shonibare MBE and Jonathan Parsons.

Image: Piercing Brightness, 24 September – 26 November 2011 © Shezad Dawood. All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2022. Photo: Simon Critchley.