British Values
(Series in progress)
Since the dawn of modern political campaigning, the chippy has been a mandatory stop on the election circuit. From Thatcher’s 1983 sit-down meal in a Harry Ramsden’s, to Theresa May cradling a cone of chips during the 2017 election, this is the place to be seen.
The relationship between fish and British politics became overt during the Brexit campaign, as politicians toured fisheries to defend British waters. This campaign produced hundreds of images of Johnson, Gove and Truss amongst others, donning hair nets and clutching glistening fish.
I use the status of the painted portrait to immortalise these photo opportunities - presenting the country’s most powerful leaders amongst stainless steel counters, heat lamps, and fluorescent sales signs.