Michael Forbes: Want the World to Know

Strange exhibition which raised some interesting ideas at the Saatchi Gallery of new work by Michael Forbes.

These works examined racial politics, migration history and religion in a variety of work mainly sculptural. Again I’m going to moan about the convoluted labels. Keep it simple to get your ideas across! If it’s too complicated people won’t engage.

The effect of the work was creepy but effective. The centre of the room was taken up by a series of figures mainly covered in thick black plastic with just one, incorporating an African masks motif, left uncovered.

I found the installation at the far end quite disturbing. It consisted of Renaissance style figures of Christ, hanging upside down on a large scaffold structure looking like the death scene of Mussolini. Some are in life jackets. Evidently is addressing how Christ is always shown as white in Western Art and how that is exploited. Lots to think about.

Closed 28 August 2023


 

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