Step into a world where art is not only seen but felt.
Renowned artist Katrina Palmer will this December, unveil her latest masterpiece, The Touch Report, at the National Gallery. From 11 December, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in Palmer’s innovative project within a specially crafted reading room, a space that diverges from the traditional gallery setting.
Gone are the usual paintings on display; instead, the room offers an intimate encounter with The Touch Report, a book that serves as a bridge between the viewer and the unseen artworks of the Collection. Inspired by the National Gallery’s record of incidents where artworks have been touched, Palmer’s experimental writing delves into the delicate materiality and perceived authority of historical paintings, boldly addressing the violent imagery they often depict.
The Touch Report invites visitors to reconsider the National Gallery’s collection through the lens of descriptive language, narrating the journey of an artist tasked with interpreting a museum steeped in historical artworks. This introspective audit focuses on the portrayal of violence, subjugation, and physical tension, prompting readers to question the narratives embedded within these images.
The reading room itself is an evocative space, devoid of paintings, but rich in atmosphere. An illuminated section of the wall marks the absence of the last painting to hang there, accompanied by an unattributed sculpture sourced from the Gallery’s stores, and a sealed bookcase that hints at hidden stories.
Complementing the exhibition is a National Gallery publication, the first comprehensive survey of Palmer’s career. This includes a newly commissioned essay by Oreet Ashery, which delves into the thematic essence of Palmer’s work, alongside reflections from Palmer herself on the residency. Her insights reveal an engagement with the multifaceted representations of violence and tension, viewed through the Gallery’s institutional lens.
The Artist in Residence programme, a collaborative effort with the Contemporary Art Society, supports this groundbreaking project. Generously backed by Anna Yang and Joseph Schull, the programme also ensures an artwork produced during Palmer’s residency will find a home at this year’s Partner Museum, Touchstones Rochdale.
Palmer’s oeuvre is known for its exploration of diverse spaces—from island quarries to urban landscapes—and for using objects, sound, writing, and drawing to probe the sculptural potential of text. Her previous works have poignantly addressed themes of absence and dislocation in historical contexts, making The Touch Report a natural extension of her artistic inquiry.
This exhibition invites you to explore art through a new sensory experience, challenging perceptions and sparking dialogue about the narratives held within the walls of the National Gallery.
Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, Katrina Palmer’s The Touch Report promises a profoundly thought-provoking journey.
The Touch Report is published by Book Works in an edition of 1,000 copies on 10th December 2024. It will be available from the National Gallery shop, online from bookworks.org.uk/publishing/shop/the-touch-report and from all good bookshops.