Red, Blue or Green? #Election2015
Posted by Liam Howlett on 5th May 2015
Artist Views on the General Election -Thursday 7th May 2015.
Catherine Aguilar
Catherine Aguilar is based in Clerkenwell, and has been established in London since the mid-nineties. Catherine has years of experience working with clients in the greeting card and giftware sectors, magazine publishing and advertising.
Q: Are you going to vote on the 7th of May?
I absolutely would if I could. Ironically I can vote in two countries – one of which I've never lived in (France) and one I left nearly 20 years ago (Switzerland) – but I can't vote in this county (apart from local and European elections).
Q: Is any of your work ever inspired by Politics?
Not currently, as the work I create is more decorative or for specific (commercial) commissions. It was more politically inspired in the past, mainly focusing on feminist and social issues.
Q: How would you sum up Conservative in one sentence?
The Tories are only in it for themselves and their peers.
Q: Do you think art has a part to play in Politics?
Yes, especially thought-provoking art which nudges you into reconsidering things from unexpected angles, supporting well-informed criticism, rather than art used as an overzealous, finger wagging propaganda tool.
Q: How do you feel the Election will affect you?
Whichever party wins, it will have an effect on everyone – negative in the worst of cases, hopefully positive in the best of cases! I don't agree with people saying 'elections or politics are pointless' because they do affect people.
You can see Catherine's artwork for sale on our site, Here.
Chris Wharton.
Chris Wharton is a freelance illustrator and designer based in London. Chris's work is usually bold bright and joyful, working with many clients has led to Chris having a portfolio of amazing and creative ideas. Chris also worked with e-Learning studio Sponge UK to create the mini game "First Past the Post" a online game about a young voter deciding to vote, it really interesting and really fun! You can check it out here: http://spongeukweb.azurewebsites.net/electiongame/
Just don't let your boss/teacher catch you.
Q: Are you going to vote on the 7th of May?
I certainly will. I think anyone that is concerned about their quality of life, access to education, healthcare, pay, ability to buy a house - basically every aspect of their lives, needs to vote in order to influence the political arena, which controls all of these things. When people say "I'm not going to vote, they're all the same" all I hear is "I haven't been bothered to find out about the various parties policies", the parties couldn't be any different, there’s always some overlapping grey areas but fundamentally they stand for different things, if you want a better life then take the time to find out more. If you can spend 8 hours a day on Facebook reposting pictures of cats you can spare an hour or so to find out about which party best represents your interests.
Q: Is any of your work ever inspired by Politics?
When I was younger I use to make angsty political art, which was essentially the ungraceful smashing together of some very cliché ideas. I have only one recent political piece (3 years old) that was produced for a specific project (included in this interview). Although I believe real change comes through political influence I also believe that the political class is bloated and beyond accountability for their policy promises and is need of reform.
Q: How would you sum up Conservatives in one sentence?
The interests of the privileged few, enabled by the mislead many.
Q: Do you think art has a part to play in Politics?
I think the creative industries have always been a part of politics, whether that’s to fuel propaganda or to satirise it. For hundreds of year’s art has been a way of distilling ideas into single images for the easy consumption of the voters. I think when people feel they have no voice an image can be a very powerful device.
You can see Chris' work for sale, Here.
Christophe Gowans
Christophe Gowans has designed for the music industry, working on bands like New Order and Pet Shop Boys, although he has subsequently switched to magazine design. Most of the personal work is inspired by pop culture, particularly music.
Q: Are you going to vote on the 7th of May?
Yes, I will be voting… I will ask my wife who to vote for. She's extremely well informed (unlike me) and it makes no sense for me to negate her vote with mine, now does it?
Q: Is any of your work ever inspired by Politics?
I think I can safely aver: never.
Q: How would you sum up any Party in one sentence?
I think they all get distracted from what they're supposed to be doing, by the need to be 'winning'.
Q: Do you think art has a part to play in Politics?
Some art gets through to people and makes them think twice… but it's at its most laudable when unaffiliated.
Q: How do you feel the Election will affect you?
It will affect me not.
You can check out Christophe's work, here
Thanks to all the artists for taking the time to answer the questions. Are you going to vote on the 7th of May? Let us know, by tweeting us @EastEndPrintsPR or EastEndPrints #EEP