The Great Battle, After Canaletto, Venice, Italy, 7m x 2m, 2014-23

A monumental digital collage that stages an epic clash between the characters of childhood, drawn from decades of popular culture. Set against the iconic Venetian canals in homage to Canaletto’s detailed canal-scapes, this fantastical scene brings together hundreds of figures, toys, monsters, and cartoon heroes in chaotic confrontation. Divided ethically, the image presents a moral spectrum: on the right, figures embodying kindness, compassion, and play; on the left, those associated with villainy, cruelty, and menace.

Beneath its comic surface lies a meditation on the nature of memory, media, and morality. By juxtaposing beloved icons and darker archetypes, the work examines how childhood is shaped by opposing forces—joy and fear, innocence and violence. This dreamlike battle is not merely a spectacle; it’s a reflection of how media imprints ethical frameworks into the developing imagination. The work invites viewers to explore their nostalgic associations, challenging them to consider which characters shaped their sense of right and wrong. With its dizzying density and vibrant humour, The Great Battle is both a celebration and a critique of popular culture’s grip on the moral imagination.This interplay between media, memory, and morality resonates with cultural theorist Stuart Hall’s argument that popular culture serves as a crucial site for negotiating identity and ideology (Hall, 1997).

Reference:
Hall, S. (1997). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. Sage Publications.