The BritArt Olympics

Streets lined with patriotic paraphernalia. Trains packed with chattering children. Visitors draped head-to-toe in regional garb. This can mean only one thing: the London Olympics. Infecting the city with chaotic fever, contagious zeal for the 2012 Olympic Games has spread like wildfire. I tried my best not to catch it, I tried to resist, but it was all in vain. The bug sneaked-up on me regardless, possessing me with an uncharacteristic bout of national pride. One look at the Opening Ceremony was all it took. The Queen’s cameo as Britain’s next Bond girl simply sealed the deal. I was totally, and irrevocably, hooked.

Hurling myself into a plethora of Olympic offerings, much like a dutiful heptathelete (one can but dream!), I decided to soak up the city’s ambiance beyond the Olympic Park.  Appealing to my artistic sensibilities, the Tate Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic Posters* exhibition was the unanimous winner (bolstered by its lack of admission charge, of course)!

Aside from a somewhat sidelined position in the gallery– the posters were precariously placed along the shop’s adjoining wall – the mini show successfully captured the spirit of the Games. Commissioned by a host of 12 BritArt legends including Tracey Emin, Bridget Riley and Rachel Whiteread, these vibrant and symbolic prints flew the flag for our nation with suitable pride. Vying for Centre Stage on the Olympic and artistic platform, however, there were undoubtedly some frontrunners. Awarded an appropriate medal of distinction, in my opinion, here are our BritArt Olympians….

Bronze: Rachel Whiteread, LOndOn 2O12 (2011)

(Image Credit: Tate Britain)   © London 2012

Renowned for her sculptural casts of ambient space, Whiteread’s poster is equally evocative. Overlaying a repetitive pattern of circular rings, in immediately identifiable Olympic colours, Whiteread conjures up an emblematic setting. Apparently suggestive of the competing athletes, as well as a jostling audiance, this cornucopia of colour and light should unquestionably receive a Bronze Olympic medal.

Silver: Anthea Hamilton, Divers (2011)

(Image Credit: Tate Britain)   © London 2012

Famed for her substantial sculptural assemblages, Anthea Hamilton’s poster is surprisingly subtle. Focusing upon the physical prowess of the female anatomy, a trademark feature of Hamilton’s work, the poster extols the delicate poise of a female athlete; perhaps, a diver or a synchronized swimmer. The shimmering azure background – akin to David Hockney’s LA swimming pool series – merely serves to emphasise this point.  Definitely deserving of a Silver Olympic medal.

Gold: Chris Ophili, For the Unknown Runner (2011)

(Image Credit: Tate Britain)   © London 2012

The Gold medal for BritArt excellence, however, has to be awarded to Chris Ophili. Remaining true to his signature themes of race, folklore and biblical narrative, Ophili harks back to the Ancient Olympic Games of Athens. Constructing a mythical hybrid, a satyr/superhuman cross, Ophili recalls the heroic strength, stoicism and agility of the Greek gods. Reaffirmed within the cultural framework of Greek vase motif, Ophili’s poster emanates a resounding sense of power and pride.

* The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games posters exhibition is being held at Tate Britain until the 23^rd of September. Make sure to visit while you still can!  

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Tags: London, Olympics

Category: Culture Vultures, London Calling