Target Queen

Bharti Kher’s Target Queen is a commissioned mural made up of large, brightly coloured, target-like bindis, each measuring three metres in diameter, that cover two sides of the brutalist exterior of the Hayward Gallery. The bindi, a cultural and spiritual marker representing the third eye that us South Asian women wear, is used by Kher as a powerful emblem for the Mother goddess. As such, Kher embeds both a spiritual resonance and a feminine energy into the brutalist building that overlooks Waterloo Bridge.

The concentric circles that make up the targets become a potent motif that not only reflects a cosmic vision but also explores the cyclical nature of life, capturing the interplay between creation and dissolution. Kher’s artistic practice is renowned for how it explores the boundaries between humanity and nature, ecology and politics. Her sculptures are often crafted from found objects that carry their own histories. These objects are precariously assembled, often hung, propped and suspended, and are stripped of their conventional meanings, leaving them open to reinterpretation and enchantment. The resulting works are alluring, abstract compositions that challenge and captivate, reflecting a world filled with abstract beauty and latent magic.

Curated by Anusha Mistry, supported by Rachel Thomas.