1971 Diary

© The Estate of Ian Breakwell. All rights reserved. DACS 2025. Image credit: British Council Collection

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Notes

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According to the artist: 'Unlike other years the "1971 Diary" is not based on factual observation and description; instead it consists of a multitude of banal, one-line phrases: trivial and horrific news items; weather reports; and those stunning platitudes which people use to sum up the latest hours in their lives when they are asked: "Had a good day?" and they reply "Quite a nice day", or "Not a bad day", or "Such a busy day". In the diary these phrases are built up layer upon layer in coloured inks in order to give the text a colourful visual appearance which contrasts gaudily with the depressing crumminess of the verbal content.'

British Council Collection

London

Title

1971 Diary

Date

1971

Medium

crayon & ink on printed card

Measurements

H 123.5 x W 170 cm

Accession number

P3707

Acquisition method

purchased from Angela Flowers Gallery, 1978

Work type

Drawing

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British Council Collection

British Council, 1 Redman Place, London, Greater London E20 1JQ England

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