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This temporary artwork was commissioned for the Birmingham 2022 Festival and Commonwealth Games and reimagines Birmingham's statue of Queen Victoria. The existing statue is an integral element of the installation. The queen is shown standing in a boat surrounded by smaller replicas being sent out to represent her across the British Empire, wearing helmets and medals to symbolise the battles fought during the period of her reign.

Title

Foreign Exchange

Date

2022

Accession number

B1_RA_S900

Acquisition method

supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Henry Moore Foundation and commissioned by Ikon Investment Fund

Work type

Statue

Custodian

Birmingham City Council

Work status

extant

Unveiling date

15th June 2022

Access

at all times

Inscription description

HEW LOCKE / FOREIGN / EXCHANGE / This temporary artwork by artist Hew Locke reimagines Birmingham’s statue / of Queen Victoria. / Unveiled in 1901, the original sculpture was made in marble by Sir Thomas / Brock. Fifty years later, it was recast in bronze by William Boyle and members / of Birmingham School of Art. / Foreign Exchange creates the illusion of Queen Victoria standing in a boat / surrounded by smaller replicas being sent out to represent her across the / British Empire. The statue and replicas wear helmets and medals representing / important battles fought during this time. / Born in 1959 in Edinburgh, Locke grew up in Guyana, where he passed a / statue of Queen Victoria every day on his way to school. Similar statues / remain in public spaces in many Commonwealth countries.

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