Nan Goldin‘s exhibition “Sisters, Saints, Sibyls” at the Gagosian’s site-specific initiative in London explores personal and historical narratives, hosted in the former Welsh chapel at 83 Charing Cross Road. The exhibition brings together the legend of Saint Barbara with the tragic life story of Goldin’s sister, Barbara. This exploration of sacred history and personal tragedy offers commentary on the societal pressures and stigmas associated with mental health and identity, themes that are recurrent in Goldin’s work.
The exhibition’s venue, a deconsecrated church now serving as a canvas for Goldin’s film, enhances the thematic gravity of her work. The site itself—a Grade II–listed building originally built in 1888 and known as the Welsh chapel—has transitioned from a religious and cultural hub for London’s Welsh community to a space for art, curated by Stone Nest.
“Sisters, Saints, Sibyls” details the life of Goldin’s sister who was misunderstood and maltreated by the medical and social establishments of her time. By paralleling her sister’s experiences with the martyrdom of Saint Barbara, Goldin critiques the often oppressive mechanisms of societal judgment and control, while focusing on the complexity of familial relationships and the pains of personal rebellion. Goldin also comments on the broader societal issues that continue to resonate today, such as gender conformity, racial prejudice, and sexual identity.
In addition to the central film projection, the exhibition is part of a broader retrospective that includes early black-and-white photographs at Gagosian’s Burlington Arcade location. This showcase spans various phases of Goldin’s career, offering insights into her evolution as an artist and her long-standing commitment to using photography and film to fight stigma and advocate for marginalized communities. “Sisters, Saints, Sibyls” runs concurrently with the release of “Heartbeat,” Goldin’s nine-volume catalogue raisonné, and is part of a global tour that includes stops at major museums across Europe.
