The Loser's Lair

‘The Loser’s Lair’, features work by the winner of the Bankley Open 2025 Bella Cagnoli (b.2003), who is a sculptor and stand-up comedian. About This exhibition presents a world of absurd humorous works, consisting of a combination of found and made objects, each carrying its own narrative and character. Cagnoli’s sculptures sit somewhere between aspiration and patheticness, joy and darkness, comedy and tragedy. Their existence is rooted in dark humour. Each work aspires to be something that it is not, and will never be. They live amongst each other, seemingly unaware that their own pathetic qualities are transparent. It is almost as though the sculptures believe they are getting away with it, by hiding behind bright, flamboyant colours. However, no matter what they do they can’t help but be their honest, ridiculous and almost desperate selves. By lightheartedly reframing her own shortcomings, Cagnoli embraces them as an inevitable part of her own experience. To offer a relief for herself and the viewer. Poster by Tash Langman Read more Toggle Sculpture Film / Video Installation