Step into the world of Bobby Baker's groundbreaking feminist artwork as Tate Britain presents a revival of her iconic installation, An Edible Family in a Mobile Home. This radical and immersive experience, not seen for nearly five decades, invites visitors to indulge in life-size sculptures of family members made entirely from cake, biscuits, and meringues. Join us on a journey through time and art as we explore this unique installation and its powerful message of femininity, consumption, and transformation.
The Origins of An Edible Family in a Mobile Home
Explore the roots of Bobby Baker's groundbreaking installation and its significance in the feminist art movement.
Bobby Baker's An Edible Family in a Mobile Home first captivated audiences in 1976 when she presented this radical installation in her East London home. The installation challenged traditional notions of femininity and domesticity, inviting visitors to consume life-size sculptures of her family members made entirely from cake, biscuits, and meringues.
As a feminist artist, Baker used this installation to explore themes of consumption, transformation, and the role of women in society. By creating edible sculptures of her family, she subverted traditional expectations and highlighted the performative nature of gender roles.
The Revival at Tate Britain
Discover the revival of An Edible Family in a Mobile Home at Tate Britain and the updates made to the installation.
Tate Britain is now presenting a revival of Bobby Baker's influential artwork, bringing An Edible Family in a Mobile Home back to the public eye after nearly five decades. The installation is featured outside Tate Britain on the South Lawn, coinciding with the opening of the autumn exhibition, Women in Revolt! Art and Activism in the UK 1970-1990.
The current installation is a replica of the original work, with updates by the artist herself. The sculptures of the family members, made from cake, biscuits, and meringues, were baked by Lily Vanilli and assembled by Baker's team. The walls of the house have been adorned with specialized icing developed in collaboration with UCL's Institute of Making.
Visitors to Tate Britain have the opportunity to enter the house, savor the edible sculptures, and engage with hosts who have been trained by Baker. This immersive experience allows visitors to not only appreciate the art but also participate in the act of consumption, blurring the boundaries between art and life.
The Edible Family Experience
Step into the edible world of Bobby Baker's family and explore the unique rooms and sculptures within the installation.
Inside the installation, visitors are transported into Baker's East London home, where each room is meticulously crafted to represent different family members. The living room features a father made of fruit cake, reclining in an armchair surrounded by tabloid newspapers.
In the bath, a teenage son made of garibaldi biscuits lies in a chocolate cake bath against a backdrop of comics. The kitchen showcases a mother crafted from a dressmaker's mannequin, offering a continuous supply of fairy cakes, sandwiches, and fruit from compartments in her hollow abdomen.
Throughout the installation, the walls are plastered with newspaper cuttings, creating a subtle scent of sugar and adding to the immersive experience. Visitors are encouraged to indulge in the edible sculptures, blurring the lines between art, consumption, and participation.
The Future of An Edible Family in a Mobile Home
Learn about the future plans for the installation and its journey beyond Tate Britain.
Following its exhibition at Tate Britain, An Edible Family in a Mobile Home will embark on a UK tour led by Bobby Baker and her production company, Daily Life Limited. The tour aims to bring this transformative installation to audiences across the country, allowing more people to engage with Baker's unique vision.
The tour will conclude with a final presentation in collaboration with Idle Women, a Lancashire-based artist-led social justice initiative. The prefab structure of the installation will be permanently donated to Idle Women, ensuring its longevity and continued impact beyond the exhibition.
Conclusion
Bobby Baker's An Edible Family in a Mobile Home is a groundbreaking feminist art installation that challenges traditional notions of femininity, consumption, and domesticity. Through the use of edible sculptures and immersive experiences, Baker invites visitors to engage with her unique vision and explore the performative nature of gender roles.
The revival of this influential artwork at Tate Britain allows audiences to step into Baker's world and participate in the act of consumption, blurring the boundaries between art and life. The future plans for the installation, including a UK tour and collaboration with Idle Women, ensure its continued impact and longevity beyond the exhibition.
