Martin Creed has been dividing audience opinion since his controversial Turner Prize win, for an empty room in which the lights turned on and off, in 2001. He’s no less provocative now than he was then, as a new exhibition at Hauser & Wirth demonstrates. This appetizing sculpture gives the show its title—Toast—made from bronze and spread with a generous helping of gold. It is typical Creed, turning something as comforting as a slice of hot toast on its head and pushing us to rethink our value systems and relationship to what we consume. It’s impactful, a simple gesture that is as direct as it is funny.
