This series of artwork is about the way the role of modern man has changed from mainly physical work to more mental based work and how this has taken the ‘worker’ from outside on the land to inside into the office. The artwork explores how this role is affecting their lifestyle and society in general. When using the word ‘man’ I am referring to both men and women and the words ‘man’ or ‘men’ are used due the associations they hold within the existing frame work that I am exploring.
The artwork takes its title from the road works signs of the same name that portray a silhouette of a man with a shovel digging. This image is instantly recognisable and we associate it with road works and building sites. This sign along with many other signs, of all types, are the basis for all the works in this series. Each piece uses the basic format of existing signs as a template and then adds a new image, new text or combines different signs to alter the message of the sign while still referencing the original.
The anonymous silhouette of the men on the signs also references the anonymity of the ‘suit’ from the modern workplace, especially in large companies where workers are faceless members of staff who are easily dispensable.These new signs are intended to be a sideways look at the modern lifestyle, which is invariably based around work, and to highlight the funnier aspects of hectic modern lifestyle.
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