Nicola Turner's horsehair sculptures exhibition in a Georgian townhouse at Hanover Square, showcasing intricate designs.

Nicola Turner’s Towering Horsehair Sculptures Haunt Hanover Square’s Georgian Townhouse

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Written by Sam Johnson

2026-10-27

Nicola Turner’s latest exhibition, “I Tear Secrets from Your Yielding Flesh,” transforms Annely Juda‘s galleries into a gripping exploration of anxiety and emotion through the “horsehair sculptures exhibition”. The British artist‘s monumental horsehair sculptures creep across the historic Georgian townhouse in Hanover Square, engaging visitors with their tactile forms. These dark, sinuous structures appear to claw out of windows, adding a striking presence to the building’s classical façade.

Nicola Turner's large horsehair sculpture displayed in a well-lit, spacious room.
nicola turner's horeshair sculptures

From Entrances to Inner Rooms: Sculptures as Emotional Landscapes

Inside the gallery, Turner’s showcase creates an enveloping narrative. Smaller works guide visitors to a towering centerpiece hanging beneath a vintage glass ceiling. The pieces evoke a range of feelings that Turner describes as a battle with the material itself. Her works suggest a journey, reflecting personal anxieties and traumas through tactile engagement. The sharp, pointed extensions mimic the artist’s sense of instability and tension.

For those intrigued by art’s powerful storytelling, explore Eddy Firmin’s ceramic sculptures which challenge societal narratives and personal identities.

Detailed view of horsehair sculpture strands, emphasizing texture and craftsmanship.
nicola turner's horeshair sculptures

Historical Echoes and Personal Stories in the Installation

Turner’s sculptures resonate with the history of the building, once home to the Royal College of Chemistry. In 1845, a student there discovered aniline dye, democratizing the color purple. The structure later housed the couturiers Reville and Rossiter, known for their royal clientele, including Vita Sackville-West. Turner’s use of dressmaking tools and materials encapsulates these historical narratives, interweaving them with themes of shame and secrecy. The sculpture exhibition is an art installation that bridges past and present through these stories.

Sculpture partially obscured by shadow, highlighting its intricate structure and volume.
nicola turner's horeshair sculptures

A Tactile Dialogue: Senses and Memories

Utilizing items like vintage scissors and horsehair mattresses, Turner crafts pieces imbued with historical memory. The sculptures exude a sensory presence with a faint scent that reminds viewers of their organic origins. Turner aims to evoke a visceral reaction, encouraging visitors to engage physically, not just intellectually, with her works.

Close-up of horsehair displaying the fine texture and unique material use.
nicola turner's horeshair sculptures

Nicola Turner’s show at “Annely Juda” continues until November 7, 2026. It presents an emotional landscape that challenges viewers to confront and release suppressed traumas, offering a resonant space for both introspection and communal catharsis through her art.

Nicola Turner's horsehair sculptures exhibition in a Georgian townhouse at Hanover Square, showcasing intricate designs.

Source: wallpaper.com

Frequently asked questions

What materials does Nicola Turner use in her sculptures?

Nicola Turner uses horsehair, vintage scissors, and horsehair mattresses in her sculptures, which are imbued with historical memory.

Where is Nicola Turner’s exhibition located?

Nicola Turner’s exhibition is located at Annely Juda’s galleries in a historic Georgian townhouse in Hanover Square.

How long will the exhibition run?

Nicola Turner’s show at Annely Juda continues until November 7, 2026.

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