Canto XII: [no title] 1981

Editor: This is Canto XII, by Esq Tom Phillips. I’m struck by the juxtaposition of the flag and the figures below – it feels ominous, like a surveillance state. What do you make of it? Curator: That ominous feeling is key. Consider the flag, potentially a symbol of national identity and power, looming over a mass of indistinct figures. It evokes questions of control, visibility, and who is being watched. What does it mean to be a citizen versus a subject in this context? Editor: So, the artist might be critiquing power structures? Curator: Absolutely. Phillips often engages with themes of surveillance, identity, and the individual's place within larger systems. This piece invites us to consider how power manifests in our lives. Editor: I never would have noticed it without this context. Thanks! Curator: It's amazing how understanding the underlying narrative can unlock a whole new layer of meaning, isn't it?