Systems was a group of artists formed in 1969. One focus for these artists was a belief that following a rational, systematic, procedure (often based in mathematics) to make artwork was often as important, if not more so than the finished object. This theory influenced their work in different mediums from painting to sculpture. Their concentration on a practice based in theory, forms one foundation for contemporary artists’ working-practice today.

This display presents work by the group’s core members from their most significant moment, an Arts Council touring exhibition in 1972–73 that originated at the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London. It includes paintings and sculptures as well as drawings, photographs and plans of final works that illustrate Systems’ defining methodical working process.