For almost 60 years, Phyllida Barlow took inspiration from her surroundings to create imposing installations that can be at once menacing and playful. She created large-scale yet anti-monumental sculptures from inexpensive, low-grade materials such as cardboard, fabric, plywood, polystyrene, scrim, plaster and cement. These constructions were often painted in industrial or vibrant colours, the seams of their construction left at times visible, revealing the means of their making.

Frances Morris is an art historian, curator, and writer. She was director of Tate Modern, London, from 2016 until 2023. Morris often worked with and spoke to Phyllida Barlow, and in 2024 she completed two other projects related to the artist: the exhibition, 'Phyllida Barlow: unscripted' at Hauser & Wirth Somerset and the definitive monograph, Phyllida Barlow: Sculpture, 1963-2023.