RACES OF FACES

Can we be together?

Races Of Faces, 2023-2026
Wood, aluminium and glass
Unique work (panels 1-21)
H60 x W60 x D10cm (each)
H180 x W420 x D10cm (overall panels)
H180 x W420 x D3cm (overall glass)
© Mark Humphrey

““RACES OF FACES PLAYS ON THE DOUBLE MEANING OF RACE – THE IDENTITIES AND CULTURES THAT DISTINGUISH US, AND THE COMPETITION THAT DRIVES US. TWENTY-ONE DIFFERENT WOOD VENEERS FORM A SINGLE FIELD OF FACES, REPRESENTING PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT AGES, CULTURES AND HERITAGE FROM ACROSS THE WORLD. EACH IS DISTINCT, YET EVERY PORTRAIT IS PHYSICALLY CONNECTED WITHIN ONE PANEL.

THE WOOD ALSO CONNECTS HUMANITY TO NATURE, WHILE THE ALUMINIUM WIRE SUGGEST INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF PROGRESS. OPPOSITE, A SINGLE SHEET OF BLOOD-RED GLASS ACTS LIKE A GIANT WINDOW – REMINDING US THAT BEHIND THE DIFFERENCES AND VARIATIONS OF RACE, GENDER, AGE, SEXUALITY, BELIEF AND CIRCUMSTANCE, WE SHARE THE SAME RED BLOOD RUNNING THROUGH OUR VEINS.

TOGETHER, THE TWO PANELS ASK WHETHER OUR DIFFERENCES SHOULD DIVIDE US OR ENRICH US. WE COMPETE AS NATIONS, CULTURES AND INDIVIDUALS, YET WE SHARE ONE PLANET, ONE HUMANITY AND ONE FUTURE – MANY FACES, ONE HUMAN RACE.”

Mark Humphrey