Bidding Farewell to Glastonbury

This year, I had the incredible opportunity to contribute to Glastonbury Festival by collaborating with Shangrilart on a monumental art installation. The creation, a 6-meter-high sculpture titled "Free Ride", was constructed entirely from plywood and assembled in two distinct pieces.

The journey began in a modest warehouse tucked behind my studio. With the skilled assistance of Noel, a seasoned carpenter, we meticulously shaped large 3D figures that would form the core of our installation. These included a 2.5-meter-tall sculpture of Jeff Bezos and two 1.5-meter sculptures representing Elon Musk and Bernard Arnault. Over the course of a week, every curve and contour took shape, bringing our vision to life.

As the festival approached, Abi and I loaded the sculptures into our hire van and set off for Glastonbury. Our mission: to assemble them on-site atop a 5-meter-high body that served as the pedestal for these notorious figures. However, upon arrival, we encountered an unexpected twist - the 3D body, initially envisioned as a semi-naked person on hands and knees, had been constructed in 2D by the event team.

Undeterred, Abi and I set to work, wielding our paintbrushes with determination. The transformation was swift, and soon our creation stood resplendent against the vibrant backdrop of the festival. As the gates opened to the public, we revelled in the fruits of our efforts.

I stayed for a couple of nights, immersing myself in the overwhelming atmosphere of Glastonbury. The festival sprawled across the landscape, a pulsating tapestry of music, art, and human connection. Did anyone truly notice our sculpture? It is hard to say. Yet, like much of my art, it will resonate with a select few and perhaps ruffle the feathers of the rest - precisely the effect I relish.

The Meaning Behind "Free Ride"

The title; "Free Ride" draws inspiration from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's poignant observation: "You don’t make a billion dollars; you take a billion dollars."

Consider this: for someone earning a million-dollar salary, it would take a millennium to amass their first billion - or a staggering 20,000 years to reach 200 billion. The pursuit of wealth, it seems, is a marathon of cosmic proportions.

While the media often celebrates the achievements of billionaires, should we not be questioning how they amassed such wealth? For every billionaire in our world, there are millions of people going without. "Free Ride" serves as an expression of the exploitation of workers by billionaires, challenging viewers to reflect on the disparities that persist in our society.