How Hew Locke transformed museum trophies into a critique of global power structures
In short: Artist Hew Locke discusses the creation of his 2022 Facade Commission for The Met, titled Gilt. By reimagining the form of the trophy, Locke explores how power is represented and exercised through historical objects.
For his 2022 commission, Gilt, Hew Locke produced four sculptures that challenge traditional notions of victory and competition. He drew inspiration from items within The Met’s own collection, subjecting them to a process of fragmentation, appropriation, and recombination to create something entirely new.
The installation, which remained on view from September 15, 2022, to May 22, 2023, serves as a meditation on the symbols of authority. By distorting familiar artifacts, Locke forces viewers to reconsider the narratives of power embedded in historical objects.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Meet the Artist—Hew Locke: Gilt | Met Exhibitions
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