Hew Locke Jungle Queen I, 2003

Hew Locke is a sculptor and contemporary British visual artist based in london. Locke uses a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, photography, relief, fabric, sculpture and casting, and makes extensive use of found objects and collage. Recurrent themes and imagery include visual expressions of power, trophies, globalization, movement of peoples, the creation of cultures, ships and boats, and packaging. This is all very clear in this sculpture as it contains cardboard, glue, mixed media, pom-poms, feather trim, toys beads, etc. It is very elaborate which is why it stuck out to me. Locke grew up in Guyana where he was surrounded by images of Queen Elizabeth II he said "My feelings about the royals are deeply ambivalent, I am fascinated by the survival of the institution". The title is fitting and Locke's sense of the royal family comes through along with power from all the colors and textures he used. This is a perfect representation of Locke and his work.