We have a new King. King Charles III.
Rejoice! Hallelujah! Long live the King etc etc…
I think it was Dennis who once said;
“Oh, King, eh, very nice. And how d’you get that, eh? By exploiting the workers! By ‘anging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society. If there’s ever going to be any progress with the–”
With the, what?
Representation? Country? Democracy? Credibility of the Sovereign? How such hostile questions come out of the woodwork upon the changing of the guard. Functionality, cutting off the fat, what the taxpayer has to pay. The scandals, the imperialist dogma that perpetuates the economic and social differences. Even though it’s from a film from the 1970’s, it seems more relevant today than ever.
Move that to one side for a minute, apart from all the noise coming in about an antiquated establishment, there is tradition, history, a sense of belonging and a complicated but highly rich tapestry of art that has been influenced by rulers of this land for centuries. Indeed, what would Shakespeare have written about had there never been any English Kings?
We have mocked, ridiculed and berated our own rulers of Britian, England, the British Isles for years. It has brought us enemies from close at hand and far across the world. We have brought tears to unfavourable jealous eyes from distant shores, those that are connotated with many negative pages of history that don’t always have a rainbow conclusion.
More than anyone could possibly imagine, heavy is the head that wears the crown. From outside of course, it looks like a pantomime, a ridiculous charade. Living on the inside, away from the leaches, there is a burden which, despite the burning ambition, is the ultimate poisoned chalice.
From the Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” to Judi Dench as Queen Victoria, we have been influenced by iconic film, plays, music, literature and more; substantially staining the fabric of this country’s culture.
We have, however, moved on. The anti-monarchy argument will always rage, and so it should. For in that brief statement from “The Holy Grail”, Arthur, King of the Britons, declares to the peasant that he is the King. We don’t vote for them, there’s no democratic process, no debate, no accountability. He’s not my King.
Whatever your standpoint, from the tourism it brings in, to tradition, to a fading generation who went to War in the 1940’s, patriotism still has a beating heart. It doesn’t have be negative or soaked with shadows of oppression and nationalist thinking.
So, in our latest digital art series, we thought we could perhaps tap into the depth of that thinking. It’s a bit cliché, with a nod to a more anarchic time of the past, it’s a creation that’s part history part literary. As mentioned above, from 17th century English Literature to London’s Punk scene of the 70’s our generation has been glossed with a veneer of identity, whether we like it or not.
It’s just for fun. We produce art that we hope makes you think, react, explore and talk about.
If you would like to see the image of Charles III – sign up to become a member and feast your peasant eyes for free!
(Signing up to Garrow Hill digital art includes a monthly showcase of artwork as well as receiving emails and news)
Hail to the King!
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