op.x
FRAGILE
2023 No But Where Are You Really From?
op.x
Medium:
Digital and printed billboards
Displayed:
UK-wide, September - October 2023
Artwork Description:
With op.x’s characteristic mischievousness and humour, ‘Fragile’ playfully hacks the St George’s Cross, typically associated with national pride, courage and strength, to highlight underlying political and societal fragility, as well as the need for repair.
The use of ‘fragile’ tape also links directly to op.x’s upbringing in a Filipino/English household. A ‘balikbayan box’ is a large box that is filled with products to send back home to the Philippines for family. Growing up there was always a large box in the living room, filled with chocolates, ornaments, clothes and other random products like toothpaste! They are a symbol of love and a lens into how ‘successful’ life is on the other side in the UK. The ‘fragile’ tape used to secure the box is also used to recreate the St George’s Cross.
Artist's Comment:
[This artwork aims to] highlight the underlying political and societal fragility and its need for repair.
Bio:
op.x is a South London guerrilla artist who primarily works with space, words and graphics. He is committed to making art accessible to all and works predominantly in public spaces to create playful and disruptive spontaneous installations that challenge our relationship with space. Often integrating humour, op.x’s mischievous spirit injects a much needed dose of levity into the daily grind of life: reminding us all to not take life too seriously.
Curator's Comment:
Op.x often produces work using found objects and every day, affordable and accessible materials, like ribbon or, in this case, tape. This is in part to show that you don't need a huge budget or fine tools, you need space, imagination and the desire to create.
