Reclaiming traditional narratives through humour and playful metaphors.
Artist: Fintan Magee & Abdul Abdullah
Artist statement
Drawing from visual histories, vandalism and language of political defacement, muralist Fintan Magee and contemporary artist Abdul Abdullah use humour to re-examine cultural spaces and ideas in Revisionist Statue.
A non-specific Caesar sculpture, painted by Magee in his signature bevelled glass technique, represents tradition and empire. The blurred effect of the textured glass challenges popular perceptions of immutable histories. Magee’s image is ‘defaced’ by Abdullah with his signature white line overlay, further disrupting interpretations of the image. Using playful metaphors, Abdullah calls into question the authority of our traditional narratives. The work re-appropriates the iconography of Empire and reclaims it for the artists.
Art & About Sydney
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