Queen Victoria is often pictured carrying an orb dominated by a cross, symbolizing supposed divinely ordained sovereignty over vast lands. The monarch never left Europe, however, and accordingly, she’s not pictured in the context of countries over which she claimed dominion. This makes Hew Locke’s juxtaposition of Victoria amongst Guyanese shanties or here, wearing a costume of tiny cannons, coinage and an African mask even more provocative in his new sculpture at PPOW Gallery. In this sculpture from Locke’s ‘Souvenir’ series, the artist sourced vintage 19th century Parianware sculpture, porcelain imitating more expensive marble, and added a superabundance of ornament that covers Victoria’s person in emblems of empire. (On view in Tribeca through Oct 24th).
