protest for a dramatic new installation at Tate Britain. Running along the full length
of the Duveen Galleries, State Britain consists of a meticulous reconstruction of
over 600 weather-beaten banners, photographs, peace flags and messages from
well-wishers that have been amassed by Haw over the past five years.
Faithful in every detail, each section of Brian Haw’s peace camp from the makeshift
Faithful in every detail, each section of Brian Haw’s peace camp from the makeshift
tarpaulin shelter and tea-making area to the profusion of hand-painted placards and
teddy bears wearing peace-slogan t-shirts has been painstakingly sourced and
replicated for the display.
Brian Haw began his protest against the economic sanction in Iraq in June 2001,
Brian Haw began his protest against the economic sanction in Iraq in June 2001,
and has remained opposite the Palace of Westminster ever since. On 23 May 2006,
following the passing by Parliament of the ‘Serious Organised Crime and Police Act’
prohibiting unauthorised demonstrations within a one kilometre radius of Parliament
Square, the majority of Haw’s protest was removed. Taken literally, the edge of this
exclusion zone bisects Tate Britain. Wallinger has marked a line on the floor of the
galleries throughout the building, positioning State Britain half inside and half
outside the border.
In bringing a reconstruction of Haw’s protest before curtailment back into the public
In bringing a reconstruction of Haw’s protest before curtailment back into the public
domain, Wallinger raises challenging questions about issues of freedom of expression
and the erosion of civil liberties in Britain today.
Fabrication of State Britain.
Photo: Michelle Sadgrove at Mike Smith
Studio
Mark Wallinger
State Britain 2006
Photo: Sam Drake © Tate 2006
State Britain is the latest in an ongoing series of contemporary sculpture
Mark Wallinger
State Britain 2006
Photo: Sam Drake © Tate 2006
State Britain 2006
Photo: Sam Drake © Tate 2006
Fabrication of State Britain.
Photo: Michelle Sadgrove at Mike Smith
Studio
Mark Wallinger
State Britain 2006
Photo: Sam Drake © Tate 2006
State Britain is the latest in an ongoing series of contemporary sculpture
commissions whose previous contributors include Michael Landy, Mona Hatoum
and Anya Gallaccio. The series builds on a long tradition of exhibitions in
the Duveen Galleries, which has included memorable installations by Richard Long,
Richard Serra and Luciano Fabro.This display contains images of human suffering
which some visitors may find distressing.
About the artist
State Britain is Wallinger's first major project in London since Ecce Homo 1999,
About the artist
State Britain is Wallinger's first major project in London since Ecce Homo 1999,
one of his most celebrated works to date, a modern day, life-size Christ figure
crowned with barbed-wire thorns that temporarily occupied The Fourth Plinth
in Trafalgar Square, London.
Wallinger was born in Chigwell in 1959. He lives and works in London.
Wallinger was born in Chigwell in 1959. He lives and works in London.
He studied at Chelsea School of Art, London (1978-81) and Goldsmiths’ College,
London (1983-85). Since the mid-1980s Wallinger’s primary concern has been
to establish a valid critical approach to the ‘politics of representation and the
representation of politics’ and has often explored issues of the responsibilities
of individuals and those of society in his work. He was shortlisted for the
Turner Prize in 1995 and represented Britain at the 49th Venice Biennale in 2001.
State Britain is curated by Clarrie Wallis, Curator, Tate Britain in collaboration
