Hew Locke: Stranger in Paradise is a detailed monograph into the fascinating and multi-layered work of artist Hew Locke. Using a wide range of media, including painting, drawing, photography and sculpture and extensively found objects and collage, Locke's work addresses recurring themes of visual expressions of power, trophies, globalisation, movement of people and the creation of cultures. His large scale sculptural works are constructed from everyday materials ranging from mass produced toys, souvenirs, cake decorations, sequins and plastic flowers. Hew Locke grew up in Georgetown, Guyana, before moving to London and his work reflects the diversity and various historical fusions still being played out in these urban postcolonial societies. His work feeds into his ongoing interest in the links between personal and national identity. Including insightful texts from experts in the field, Hew Locke: Stranger in Paradise combines essays on Locke's work with sections of full page visuals, showing the real power of Locke's artwork. The book includes valuable and insightful texts from prestigious names in the art world, including writer and curator Jens Hoffmann and writer, art historian and critic Kobena Mercer. AUTHOR: Jens Hoffman is currently the Director of the Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco and a faculty member of the Curatorial Studies Program of Goldsmiths College, University of London. From 2003-2007 he was the Director of Exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Arts London. He has written several books and articles for art magazines and museum publications. Kobena Mercer is Reader in Art History and Diaspora Studies at Middlesex University, London, and is an inaugural recipient of the 2006 Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing awarded by the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, MA. He has taught at New York University and University of California at Santa Cruz ans written several publications. ILLUSTRATIONS: 100 colour b/w *
