This piece is on its way to The LA Mural Conservancy (LAMC) gallery in Downtown LA. The exhibiton theme is 'my favourite book', the one I have chosen is 1984 by George Orwell published in 1949. I am also excited about exhibiting in LA for the first time.
The image is a portrait of George Orwell drawn over an RSA two-key encrypted text excerpt from the book where Winston, the hero character, is being torchered by O'Brien, the Thought Police agent, from the Ministry of Love. Winston must accept a signgular reality as enforced by Big Brother, and is made to accept that 2+2=5, or any number that BB says it is. It's such a powerful scene and can be analagous with the ways of our world.
Using encryption for this piece, and many of my recent works, stems from an interest in WW2 cyphers and using encryption to send messages and expose hidden stories. I think this works well with the theme of the book and Orwell's WW2 propaganda work.
I've always felt inspired by Orwell and his ideas resonate well with me, and also because he worked at the BBC during the WW2 (1941-43) on radio propaganda programming. I worked for the BBC (not during WW2 :^) and was lucky enough to see his office in the old section of BBC Broadcasting House in London. Some people believe that his BBC office/work was inspiration for Room 101 in 1984, the place where the worst things happen. He did not consider his propaganda work, at the BBC, to be useful or effective.
The exhibtion will open in May 2026 and there are around 10 Las Vegas artists in the show, so really happy to be one of them!
1984 - George Orwell (Secker & Warburg 8th June 1949)
‘You are a slow learner, Winston,’ said O’Brien gently.
’How can I help it?’ he blubbered.
’How can I help seeing what is in front of my eyes?
Two and two are four.
Sometimes, Winston.
Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three.
Sometimes they are all of them at once.
You must try harder. It is not easy to become sane.’
