We're Very Well Read - It's Well Know - Exhbition in Los Angeles

Opening Reception Saturday 23rd May 2pm to 7pm. Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, 260 S Main St Downtown LA 90012 (Open Sat & Sun, and By appointment). This will be my first artwork in Los Angeles so it's very exciting. The exhibiton title is 'We're Very Well Read - It's Well Known'. It has been organised by Matt Gleason the prominet LA art critic, TV producer, and founder of the Coagula Art Journal. The book I chose as one of my favorites 1984 by George Orwell published in 1949.

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 opens 23rd May 2026 and runs until September. There are around 10 Las Vegas artists in the show, so really happy to be one of them!

1984 - George Orwell (Secker & Warburg 8^th 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.’