Locke, Hew
This work is part of a series of images in which Hew Locke has used mixed media to represent the Queen. In this case, he has used cheap, brightly coloured plastic materials to both describe and conceal her traditional image. The contradiction between Locke's subject matter and chosen materials is perhaps an exploration of cultural clashes within his own life. Though Locke now lives and works in London, he was born in Edinburgh and moved to British Guyana at a young age. Growing up in British Guyana, the Queen's image could be found on the cover of every child's exercise book – though to deface such an image was forbidden. When asked about the royal family the artist states: 'I feel ambivalent... but I don't dislike them. I just try to take a human view of them.'
Helen Loughlan
- Artwork Details: 210.5 x 80.2 x 20.4cm
- Edition:
- Material description: metal, plastic, textile on plywood and MDF
- Credit line: © Hew Locke, courtesy Hales Gallery
- Theme:
- Medium:
- Accession number: ACC28/2007