Blattoid IX,  2004

Lithography

12” x 12“

Blattoid is an old English insult from the middle ages that has slipped out of our common usage, meaning to resemble a beetle or a cockroach.

These portraits depict characters that choose to belong to the plethora of ‘beatle’ tribute bands. They explore their motivations and their dedication of a substantial part of their individual adult lives spent imitating people much more famous than themselves.

Are their actions driven by loving homage? Celebrity aspirations? Parody or pastiche? Do they have serious intent or is it just a bit of fun? By highlighting the strangeness of these characters through subtle exaggeration and adaptation I attempt to analyse the global fascination and a collective obsession with the cults of fame, glamour and hero worship whilst simultaneously discussing notions of originality, authenticity and the copy (all crucial considerations in the languages of printmaking).