Making an exhibition of herself

The thoughtless visitor left the remains of their packed lunch in the gallery just before the art critic’s visit to review the show of found objects. The pile of rubbish sat next to a broken settee which was placed in front of a television playing footage of the Falklands War on a loop. The critic saw the wrappers and rotting apple core and he made a note in his pad.

The gallery’s cleaner turned off his “Henry” vacuum cleaner and examined the pile of torn “Protect and Survive” leaflets, a bin bag in his hand.

The critic’s review did not mention the stunning piece consisting of mouldy fruit and rubbish. He was a professional and immediately recognised it for what it was. His review did mention, in a humorous aside which also covered the cafe, this flaw in the gallery’s hygiene standards.

The cleaner did not drop the pamphlets in his bin bag. He might not have enjoyed the Artist’s statement, but there was a Label and, therefore, this was at least intended to be Art.