This screenprint combines matt screenprinting inks with a gloss varnish layer printed over the entire shape of the flower. The work is characterist of Fagen's artistic practice as he explores ideas of identity in relation to the symbolism and social values historically associated with different plants.

Biography

Graham Fagen is a Scottish artist living and working in Glasgow, Scotland. His practice explores myths and fictions about identity, and how society expresses these fictions. Fagen asks the viewer to re-assess their understanding of identity through parallels with art history. He explores performance within portraiture, and depicts real, imagined, and historical characters. Plants and flowers often feature in his imagery. The artist invokes the symbolism and values we assign to plant life. His art practice encompasses video, performance, sculpture, sound, ceramics, neons and text.

Graham Fagen worked with Edinburgh Printmakers to make a number of commissioned editions, and his work appeared in the Edinburgh Printmakers exhibition 40 Years at EP 87-07, in 2007.

Fagen studied at Kent Institute of Art & Design and Glasgow School of Art. He is a professor at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. He has taught at Glasgow School of Art, Perpignan School of Art, Perpignan, France, St. Martins School of Art, London, and Kent Institute of Art & Design, Canterbury.

Fagen was programmed to exhibit during Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art 2020. He has exhibited at the Busan Biennale, South Korea (2004), the Art and Industry Biennial, New Zealand (2004), the Venice Biennale (2003) and represented Scotland at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015. In Britain he has exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Britain and the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London. In 1999, Fagen was the Official War Artist for Kosovo.

Fagen's works are held in the collections of the Arts Council, Imperial War Museum, Royal Armouries Museum, GoMA, City of Edinburgh and Dundee Museums.