| Ben’s recent work
has used imagery of Superman, as a symbol of freedom, justice
and Western values. The cultural positioning of such hero figures
is explored by means of Superman's incarnation in the now paralysed
actor, Christopher Reeve. Ben is developing this approach, focusing
on other popular imagery which in some way seeks to represent
an ideology but which never lives up to expectations. There
is an ambivalence in that these images are not only critiqued
but are also celebrated as an acknowledgement of their essential
role on our common culture.
So the images of space explorers in their suits and space
buggies represents an ideal of exploration, of new technologies
enabling us to conquer new territories, move in new dimensions
– but has all this really lived up to our expectations?
And there is of course the added poignancy of the artist himself
being physically constrained - the limitations of which are
reflected in the realisation of the imagery. |
