Britain Seen from the North 1981

Curator: Tony Cragg's "Britain Seen from the North" presents us with a large-scale map and figure, both composed of found plastic objects. My first impression is one of playful chaos. Editor: It's quite striking, isn't it? These collected materials shift our perception of what constitutes a map and what shapes national identity. It’s all post-consumer refuse. Curator: Exactly. It provokes questions about mass production and waste. The sheer volume of these discarded items suggests a commentary on consumer culture and its environmental impact. Editor: I see it as a critique of borders and belonging. The figure mirroring the map asks: who gets to define Britain, and at what cost to both the land and its people? Curator: Yes, and the fact that the materials are all manufactured detritus speaks volumes about Britain's role in global manufacturing and consumption. Editor: Ultimately, Cragg’s work forces us to confront the material realities of our world and the systems that shape our identities. Curator: A poignant reflection on consumption and representation.