Dieter Roth

Dieter Roth is known for his radical and unconventional approach to art making. This revealed itself in two ways: his experimentation with perishable foodstuffs which would inevitably change over time, and for making multiples of his artworks. Both undermine the notion of the art object as precious, rarefied and unique.

Roth's rejection of conformity may be traced back to his upbringing in Germany at the time of National Socialism. As a child he was forced to take part in military drills, when he longed to spend his time reading and drawing. In the 1940s, he embarked on a career in branding and graphic design. It wasn't until the 1960s that he started to use edible materials such as chocolate, fruit and cheese in his art.

For the rest of his life, Roth would continue to blur the boundaries between art and life. He maintained and documented a daily making practice, collaborated with his artist friends, and engaged senses beyond the visual.

This room presents just a small variety of the materials Roth was working with. Connected by themes of time, decay, travel and energy. Roth intended these works to pose questions around the care and display of artworks in museums.