Critical Art Theory sees art as a product of, and a window onto, the economic, social and political power structures of the day. So it’s a fitting title for Ben Sakoguchi’s new show in the Gasworks gallery.
Born in California in 1938 of Japanese ancestry, he and his family were considered a threat to national security and were incarcerated by the US government in an internment camp throughout the second world war. His direct experience from an early age of the power of the state over individuals is reflected in his art.
The 67 works in this exhibition follow a roughly chronological order from prehistory to the beginning of the 20th century. In the style of cartoons and comic books, each work consists of several panels, often with accompanying words. He reproduces cultural iconography, fragments of famous artworks, and images of historical events, to expose how monarchy, religion, colonialism and capitalism have shaped art through the ages. It’s a history of the world in 67 paintings – but not through rose-tinted spectacles. This is a history of racism, cruelty, oppression and hypocrisy as Sakoguchi minutely dissects and exposes the impact of white male power over women and non-white people. He picks key themes and moments to anchor each work into the appropriate historical time frame. In his way you move from the ancient world, through the medieval and renaissance periods, the age of enlightenment, to the industrial revolution and the age of empire and so.
Although colourful and beautifully rendered, the images are very often disturbing. He does not try to hide the brutality that is central to human history. Mixed in with famous fragments, you will see images of slavery, the subjugation of indigenous peoples, the oppression of workers, the cruelty of religion, and more. That said, he occasionally uses wit and whimsy to make his point. His version of Botticelli’s famous Birth of Venus for example includes women from other ethnicities in the iconic pose and an anachronistic but nonetheless timely inclusion of a leering Donald Trump.
You cannot take in this exhibition in a few minutes. It represents work done over many years and deserves some of your time. But the effort is worth it. There are overarching themes running through the works, but the pleasure – if that’s the right word – is in the detail. So you need to spend a few minutes with each one to see how he has used artistic styles, text, cultural reference points and the work of famous artists to highlight significant historical events and movements and take you on a journey over several thousand years. It’s not a pleasant journey but rather an account of how the dominance of the western world and its values and culture is built upon the oppression of other people and races.
Critical Art Theory runs in Gasworks, 155 Vauxhall Street, SE11 5RH until 7 September. Entry is free and the gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12 – 6pm.
For further information go to www.gasworks.org.uk or call 0207 587 5202
