In the Black Fantastic | Hew Locke | Artist Interview | Hayward Gallery | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This video showcases an artist's journey to address the lack of representation of people of color in statues and explores themes of identity, power, and nationhood through his life-size photographic installations.

Key Insights

• 🇺🇸 Lack of representation of people of color in statues is an issue both in the United States and Europe.
• 🫵 The artist's installations serve as a mythic representation of diversity and engage viewers in examining their origins.
• 🧑‍🎨 The series "How Do You Want Me" challenges the art world's expectations and highlights the artist's exploration of identity.
• 🤬 Symbols of nationhood in the artist's work reflect ideas of power and ceremony.
• 💦 Materials and color play a significant role in the artist's work, elevating cheap materials to a higher status.

Transcript

there are very few people of color are statues in this country and quite frankly in europe in general so that's where i'm coming from with this i i'm making the decisions and i'm deciding to address that but it's become something more than just about a statue it's become something mythic for me you know what it's developed into is the idea of of am... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired the artist to address the lack of representation of people of color in statues?

The artist noticed the absence of diversity in statues and wanted to challenge this by creating installations that serve as ambassadors from a parallel universe, carrying their history with them.

Q: What is the meaning behind the artist's series titled "How Do You Want Me"?

The series reflects the artist's exploration of identity and his critique of the art world's voracious desire for the latest exotic thing. It questions how the artist is expected to fit into these expectations.

Q: What do the royal insignia and coats of arms symbolize in the artist's work?

These symbols represent ideas of nationhood, power, and ceremony. They also serve as a way for the artist to elevate cheap materials to a higher status.

Q: How does the artist's Caribbean background influence his work?

The artist expresses a desire to stay connected to his origins by integrating imagery and inspiration from Guyana into his installations. The room he sits in represents his main inspirations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The artist discusses the lack of diversity in statues and aims to address this issue through his installations.

• The installations serve as ambassadors from a parallel universe, carrying their history and inviting viewers to examine and speculate on their origins.

• The artist's exploration of identity and the art world's demand for the latest exotic thing is reflected in his series titled "How Do You Want Me."