Naturalizar Al Hombre, Humanizar A La Naturaleza, O Energía Vegetal (Man Naturalization, Nature Humanization, Or Vegetal Energy) 1977, Reconstruction 2004. Fundación Victor Grippo

The first ever large-scale exhibition of conceptual artist Victor Grippo’s work in Britain is being staged at the Camden Arts Centre in London until February 4 2007.

Featuring the cream of his work from the 1970s till his death in 2002 this free exhibition promises to draw in both conceptual art fans and those interested in the scientific ideas behind his work.

Jenni Lomax, Director of the Centre, is excited Grippo’s work has finally got the stage it deserves. She said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to present this fascinating artists' work four years after his death. It will shed new light on his work and the impact it has had on three generations of artists.”

Victor Grippo - Síntesis (Synthesis) (1972). Private Collection © the artist, courtesy Alexander and Bonin, New York

Often lauded as the father of Argentinean conceptual art he started life as a chemist before trying his luck as a painter. In the 1970s he began to experiment with art installations in which he attempted to show how the dormant energy of everyday materials could be transformed through the power of alchemy.

An example of this type of work is Man Naturalization, Nature Humanization (1977) in which he measures the electrical charge of potatoes through a series of electrodes. This highlights his fascination with the potential energy objects hold within them, more especially potatoes, which Grippo constantly used in his artworks.

To him the electrical energy of potatoes was analogous to its power as the staple food of the world's poor. One has to look no further than the Irish potato famine of 1845-1849 to see how the failure of a crop can have grave social and political repercussions for poorer countries.

Victor Grippo - Algunos Oficios (Some Trades) (1976). © the artist, courtesy Alexander and Bonin, New York

In the installation Some Trades (1976) the tools of the trade of a blacksmith, stonecutter, a mason and a farmer symbolise the transformative effects these tools can have on a wide range of a materials.

The exhibition also features a selection of his elegant boxes from the Equilibrium series as well as painted plaster forms he titled Anonymous.