Ian Breakwell's UNWORD, 1969-70: early performance art in Britain (No. 52)

Description

UNWORD, performed by Ian Breakwell four times between 1969-70, was a multi-media absurd event based on the principle of transformation through destruction.

In this essay Victoria Worsley describes the events of UNWORD as they unfolded, as well as examining the work in the context of performance art in the post-war period, an emerging and rather all-encompassing heading.

Published to mark the acquisition of UNWORD for Leeds Museums & Galleries and its display in Important Mischief: British Sculpture from the 1960s and 70s in Leeds City Art Gallery, March - November 2006.