Model Britain

The title refers to a vision of Britain exemplified by models. It explores notions of the past, tradition and heritage through iconic images and its relation to modern society.

This photographic series connects with the artist’s interest in advertisement languages, clichés, kitsch, stereotypes and their semantics.

They are shot in 5x4’’, printed in big format and make use of saturated colours. The models through photography acquire an intensity of existence that leads to a hyperreality.

These souvenirs are manufactured to appeal to tourists because each in its way is an exemplar of the stereotypical image of Britain. They represent an ideal yet obsolete image rooted in tradition and heritage and relate to what emblematises a country, deeply anchored in the past. It addresses questions of identity and cultural memory.

Each model is an idealised paradigm of the real objects they resemble. The Beatles – now as much a part of Britain’s past heritage as Dickens or Shakespeare – do not represent the real musicians, but instead the idealised characters from the animated movie, “The Yellow Submarine”. Together they form part of a “Disneyland” image of Britain. Each model is a paradigm – and part of a larger paradigm – the Britain of warm ales and cricket on the village green, of thatched cottages, beefeaters and polite policemen – a Model Britain.

The series has been exhibited at Dorchester Arts Festival and will be soon shown at the Anzac Centre, Harefield Hospital and at the Brompton Hospital in London.

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