One-of-a-kind, original artwork, 2025

24.5 x 17cm

Paper, PVA, thread

Hand-stitched collage, intended for my recent exhibition at the Barbican Library in London, but unfinished at the time of installation. I used discarded magazines and the book ‘Civilisation’ by Kenneth Clark. First published by John Murray/BBC in 1969, this edition printed in 1971. Bought for 50p from a charity shop.

That’s the book to accompany the ancient TV series, responsible for my questionable early art education (didn’t include female artists). I turned each page (along with old museum magazines, and the like - see below) into a collage.

This collage is made entirely from ‘leftovers’ from other ‘Civilisation Collages’ (pages i, ii, 6, 109, 151, 185, 263, 270, and 277).

The face colour is from the background ‘grass’ of Piss Flowers by Helen Chadwick, 1991-2. Photo by Tate/ Seraphina Neville from the installation at Tate Modern, 2024. Cut from an article (Say it with Piss Flowers) in which Holly Connolly, Cosey Fanni Tutti, Anya Gallaccio, Sylvia Legris and Nicolas Deshayes share words of appreciation. Tate Etc, Winter 2024, Issue 64. 

The eyes are from the Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol, 1962. Tate Members’ Guide, Apr-May-Jun 2025. 

The nose belongs to Leigh Bowery at Limelight, London 1987 by Dave Swindells.  Article by Dave Swindells. Tate Etc, Winter 2024, Issue 64.

The face outline is from Mike Kelley’s Ahh… Youth! 1991/2008 (detail) Tate. Tate Members’ Guide Jan-Feb-Mar 2025.

The artwork title comes directly from Clark’s text.

Price includes UK postage, and a 5% donation to Arts Emergency.

Copyright: Alison Aye, 2025.