Serpentine Pavilion 2022 Black Chapel by Theaster Gates

Black Chapel, situated within Serpentine in Kensington Gardens, is intended as a space for reflection and community gathering. The central oculus, which provides a focused source of light, creates a tranquil atmosphere for contemplation. This project continues the artist's exploration of 'the vessel' and his interest in creating spaces, themes that are central to his work in urban renewal. Drawing inspiration from the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Gates has produced a series of tar paintings titled Seven Songs for Black Chapel, honoring his father’s work as a roofer and incorporating roofing techniques such as torch down.

The structure, created with the support of Adjaye Associates, takes inspiration from various architectural forms, such as the bottle kilns of Stoke-on-Trent, beehive kilns in the Western U.S., and traditional African designs like the Musgum mud huts in Cameroon and Uganda's Kasubi Tombs. Its circular design echoes the sacred architecture of Hungarian round churches and reflects the spiritual practices of the African diaspora, including ring shouts and voodoo circles.

Serpentine Pavilion 2022 designed by Theaster Gates