April 1994. 1994. Oil on canvas. 79x110cm
I collected these buttons with optimistic fervour as they became emblematic of belief systems and aspirations for a better future. Political passions carried me away with each manifesto that I read; the soccer party, the various religious parties, gender specific parties, parties decrying violence, parties supporting revolution; all seemed to present reasonable reasons for support.
Finally, I proposed that in the absence of Utopia, I should flag that concern with a symbol of my own. A small striped black/white floating shape in the lower right hand corner highlighted fears that in reality, good intention too often is not enough and political power is no guarantee of good governance.