Naomi Rincón Gallardo: Sonnet of Vermin
Creatures of Mesoamerican folklore form a surreal choir calling for an end to colonial violence and exploitation in Mexican artist Naomi Rincón Gallardo’s work.
In her films, Naomi Rincón Gallardo creates dreamlike ‘counter-worlds’ that address how colonialism continues to infect social, political and environmental settings.
Sonnet of Vermin (2022) follows a group of animals related to Mesoamerican myths – Bat, Snake, Scorpion and a choir of frogs – as they traverse dystopian landscapes in Oaxaca.
Communicating through radio signals, these unwanted creatures of the underworld attempt to synchronise with one another and the dead. Broadcasting from reclaimed ruins, the singing vermin call for solidarity and community in the midst of social, political and ecological devastation.
Rincón Gallardo weaves cuir/queer forms of resistance, pre-colonial folklore, DIY aesthetics, music, dance and humour to create surreal narratives that criticise the prevalence of violence and exploitation in the region.
Naomi Rincón Gallardo lives and works between Mexico City and Oaxaca. She works across video, performance, drawing and sculpture.
Recent exhibitions include Momenta Biennale de l’Image, Montreal, 2023; the 59th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, 2022; the 34th Bienal de São Paulo, 2021; the 11 Berlin Biennale, 2020; and Museo Experimental El Eco, Mexico City, 2019. This is her first solo exhibition in London.
Presented with support from the RC Foundation, Taiwan (R.O.C.).
For your visit
This event is held at the Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre
Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 6pm
Friday, 10am – 9pm
Saturday, 10am – 8pm
Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Closed Mondays
Plan your visit
The Hayward Gallery is also where you’ll find the HENI Project Space.
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Exhibition tours
Guided tours of our Hayward Gallery exhibitions are available to ticket holders; the dates and times of these can be found when you click through to book your exhibition tickets.
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Food & drink
Offering sandwiches, salads, cakes and coffee, Hayward Gallery Cafe is the perfect spot for a pre-exhibition energy boost or a post-visit drink.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.