Genesis is honoured to have provided Bespoke Framing Services for Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke’s piece, ‘Raw Materials 27’, a 2-metre-tall collage on display at the British Academy.
‘Raw Materials 27’ is a powerful collage that addresses themes of slavery, colonialism, and historical legacy. Unveiled at the British Academy, the 2-meter-tall piece draws on Locke’s personal connections to Guyana, referencing its crumbling colonial buildings, the rubber barons of Brazil, and the slave trade that fueled their wealth. The work is displayed in a building once owned by William Gladstone, whose family benefited from Caribbean plantations and slavery, adding a poignant context. Locke’s piece resonates with ongoing conversations about Britain’s colonial past, especially in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has intensified scrutiny of historical injustices. This work is part of Locke’s broader practice, which confronts the intersections of race, politics, and history.
Press articles on ‘Raw Materials 27’:
The British Academy
The Guardian
