The artist examines the representations of exotic cliches, and propaganda techniques used to demonize the eternal foreign Other. In doing so he questions who is really “primitive” and critiques the Western Historical narrative and the contemporary nostalgia for Empire. All of this is combined with absurdist humor and often grotesque violence, tracing parallels between the conquests of 19th century empires and the military occupations of our days.
Andrew Emperor of Africa, the artist's alter ego, occupies a kingdom inhabited by exotic creatures, taking all the resources in exchange for a cup of coffee.
Exhibitions:
ANDREW GILBERT | JARMILA MITRÍKOVÁ & DÁVID DEMJANOVIČ | UMAR RASHID (FROHAWK TWO FEATHERS), The Fate of Empires, Studio d’Arte Raffaelli + Cellar Contemporary, Trento, 2019
Published on:
ANDREW GILBERT | JARMILA MITRÍKOVÁ & DÁVID DEMJANOVIČ | UMAR RASHID (FROHAWK TWO FEATHERS), The Fate of Empires, Studio d’Arte Raffaelli + Cellar Contemporary, Trento 2019, p. 26
