The Iconoclasts

In late 2024 I created almost by accident a public artwork that still continues to this day even though I don't know where it is.

The figures in the image were originally created as test tiles, I was bored with the typical plain slabs or triangles typically used by potters. I made these figures, I call them Iconoclasts*, in large numbers and distributed them in multiple places across my local area and throughout the city, ofen in restaurants etc.

The ones locally, in my street, were obviously attributed to me and were discussed in WhatsApp groups between residents. I then published a stop motion video of them which deliberately challenges the preconceived notion of their origin and intent.

Often as artists we stress over the need to sometimes let-go of a piece of work we've already invested a huge amount of time and energy into. For the potter it may happen early in the process, on the wheel when we realise that it's not working and we need to start again. At the other end of the scale we sell work if we're successful and say goodbye to something as we drop it in the post to its final owner. 

This project was something different. Abandoning the "Iconoclasts" in public spaces meant I had no control or knowledge of where they would end up or even if they'd survive.

*Iconoclasts 

An iconoclast is one who professes iconoclasm (the belief in the importance of the destroying physical religious images); one who objects to the use of sacred images in religion, or who opposes orthodoxy and religion. Less formally, it can refer to a maverick who attacks traditional beliefs in any sphere. Wikipedia