Peter Kennard: The Medium is Part of the Message

The Medium is Part of the Message: A Stunning Retrospective at the IWM Galleries Reinforces the Power of Art that has a Meaningful Message.

Peter Kennard's retrospective exhibition at the Imperial War Museum has introduced him to a new, young audience, probably because he has an uncompromising commitment to confronting social and political issues.  Although new to a younger generation he is a major figure to the 'old school' of the art world.  After a lifetime in education he is now Senior Research Reader in Photography, Art and the Public Domain.  His work now features in major collections and he has been praised by such as John Berger.  He feels that the world is in crisis and it is necessary to create work that illustrates that, despite political art being regarded as propaganda in this country.  He says that from early days he was obsessed with war and poverty and this remains his passion today.  He says that he has worked with such organisations as CND, but that he is not into propaganda.  He wants to draw attention to the fact that corporate interests are malevolent and not beneficial and that most of his work is anti-war.  He says that the method is as important as the message and he is concerned about how is work goes out into the world.  He is happy with the idea of books and even seeing his work dispersed via badges, poster, pamphlets and T-shirts to support 'good' causes, provided it is not pirated for commercial gain.  Another issue close to his heart is climate change.  He says that computer technology has been added to his creative toolbox, but he is guarded about its effectiveness, despite the alleged millions of viewers.  One of his montages: a selfie of a grinning Tony Blair became blacklisted by major advertising companies CBS and J C Decaux.  CBS also  manages the ad space on the London Underground.  He notes that CBS actually controls what is seen in our public spaces, but this is little known.  He feels that the deluge of photo shopped imagery on the web has compromised his photo-based montage work and this has prompted a return to painting and working with pigments and inks.  His exhibition at the IWM: Unofficial War Artist runs until May 2016.  I hope to get to see it.

Reference

Von Joel, M (2015) The Meaning is Part of the Message. f22magazine. 18. pp.12-15

Image

Kennard, P. (1980) Haywain with Cruise Missiles [photomontage] [online image]. Tate.  Available from:http: //www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/kennard-haywain-with-cruise-missiles-t12484 [Accessed 7 October 2015]