HOOK, LINE AND SINKER

Are we really in control?

Hook, Line And Sinker, 2004 & 2026
Exotic skin and abattoir equipment
Unique works (set of 18)
Various sizes
© Mark Humphrey

“HOOK, LINE AND SINKER TAKES THE IDIOM OF BEING COMPLETELY FOOLED AND TURNS IT INTO A PHYSICAL METAPHOR FOR CONTROL. LUXURY JACKETS HANG TAUT FROM HOOKS AND LINES, SUSPENDED BETWEEN THE FASHION CATWALK AND ABATTOIR MACHINERY, WHERE OBJECTS OF DESIRE BEGIN TO RESEMBLE CARCASSES AWAITING DISASSEMBLY.

THE GARMENTS ARE SLICED, STRETCHED AND PULLED APART AS THEY TRAVEL ALONG MOVING STEEL RAILS, THEIR EXOTIC SKINS AND SILK LININGS EXPOSED LIKE CUTS OF MEAT IN A BUTCHER’S SHOP. FRAMED LIKE AN OLD MASTER PAINTING, THE SPECTACLE TURNS SLAUGHTER INTO LUXURY AND FASHION INTO A DISPLAY OF CONTROL AND COMMAND.

THE COLLECTION CREATES A ‘DEATH-STYLE’ CONVEYOR BELT – A LUXURY LIFESTYLE REDUCED TO A SYSTEM OF CAPTURE, PROCESSING AND CONSUMPTION. CAUGHT WITHIN ITS MACHINERY, THE WORK QUESTIONS HOW MUCH CONTROL WE REALLY HAVE OVER THE SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGY AND POWERS THAT SHAPE OUR LIVES.”

Mark Humphrey