The Political Pleasure of Complaining: Autumn Knight’s “I Can’t Complain” at London’s ICA

The minor frictions of daily life, small grievances, missed opportunities… Could the act of complaining—so often brushed aside with a simple sigh—actually serve as a covert map revealing where social power dynamics flex and give? New York–based artist Autumn Knight’s exhibition I Can’t Complain, hosted at London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), takes shape around precisely this question. Running from 29 September to 29 November 2026 as the artist’s first comprehensive UK solo presentation, the exhibition reframes our everyday grievances, elevating mere grumbling into a site of political potential.

Upon entering the ICA’s lower gallery, visitors are greeted by a playful yet uncanny spatial design: a massive balloon canopy sweeping across the ceiling. Synthesizing her background in theatre, drama therapy, and psychology with contemporary performance practice, Knight weaves humor together with discomfort, intimacy with distance. A spatial sound installation draws from intimate conversations conducted by the artist with participants. Listening closely to these voiced minor dissatisfactions, the larger systemic and social fissures lurking beneath even the most seemingly personal complaint come sharply into focus.

In the rear gallery, video works shed light on the artist’s earlier investigations structured around objects and dialogue, while a live performance program injects a heightened dynamism into the overall experience. Alongside Knight’s solo performances in October (1, 12, and 15 October), collective collaborations in November featuring Samra Mayanja, alongside the duo Michelangelo Miccolis and nick von kleist, will transform the gallery into a constantly shapeshifting, living stage.

Rather than setting complaints aside, this multi-layered presentation invites us to discover what grievance renders visible—an immersive, live performative atmosphere that demands to be experienced in person.