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Achtung Baby!
Jeni Snell
Achtung Baby!
Installation of 64 sculptures. Cast-concrete, Montana Gold spray paint.
Year: 2018
"Achtung Baby! is an ongoing project of building a Queer Army marching tall and proud in defiance of homophobia, transphobia and discrimination towards gender-nonconforming people. Discrimination
(including racism and misogyny) is sadly on the rise again with growing far-right propaganda which threatens to undermine the LGBTQ+ forward trajectory towards equality.
Conceptually – this ‘ironic army’ is actually a protest - a Pride Parade, which is increasing in numbers and strength each time I cast and complete another sculpture - representing the fight against injustice gathering momentum. Why budgies? It was common for my grandparents’ generation to keep budgies in cages. My Uncle Roy also bred them and I have fond childhood memories of these beautiful birds. Fortunately the practice of keeping caged birds has moved on providing further analogy in support of freedom and flight – the importance of no restrictions to high goals and self-esteem".
Certificate of authenticity included