ART DESCRIPTION
This is a work on paper from the AND/SHOULD series of around 2001-04. The word ‘and’, both as a word of connection that connects two other words, was used in his work widely, as well as being a play on the word ‘hand’, which also has the connotation of connection (to extend a hand, for example). The use of the St George’s flag (the England flag) also is a recurring theme in his work. As a British citizen of Burmese descent, Barry often used the England flag to explore what Britishness is and who is excluded from it. His ‘History of England’ series of 1993-94 is also an exploration of this theme, where Kamen redacts, or ‘blacks out’ an entire book entitled The History of England (see related images below). Colonialism, Kamen’s own experience of being British as a mixed-race man, and the power dynamics of the British monarchy were a constant theme in his work. Kamen also loved football and used the England flag in relation to his love of football and support of the British national team.
A work from this series was shown as part of the ‘Art-Tube 01 ‘ exhibition of 2001 on the Piccadilly Line, London, alongside work from Damien Hirst, Yoko Ono, Vivienne Westwood and others.
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