Installed within the Neo-Palladian Saloon at Claydon House, Cai Guo-Qiang’s (caistudio ) ‘Heaven Complex No. 1 and No. 2’ (2017) is shown in dialogue with Van Dyck’s portraits of Charles I and Sir Edmund Verney, whose histories of power, conflict and empire resonate throughout the house.⁠ ⁠ Curator Susanna Greeves (susannagreeves ) reflects on the work, created in one detonation of coloured gunpowder and then partially obliterated in a second explosion.⁠ ⁠ ‘Cai is depicting these conflicting human impulses, the urge to create beauty, and the drive to destruction.’ – Susanna Greeves⁠ ⁠ 📍 ‘White Cube at Claydon’ is on view until 14 September 2026 at Claydon House, Buckinghamshire.⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more about the exhibition and book tickets.⁠ ⁠ nationaltrust claydonhousent claydonestate⁠ ⁠ Video © White Cube (Sam Smith)⁠ ⁠ #WhiteCubeReels ⁠