Collections

This eponymous series is the most enduring of all the collections, having invited the viewer to explore the dynamic between wealth, power and social responsibility for over a decade.

Inspired by the Sunday Times Rich List - a questionably-worthy piece of journalism in and of itself - the works feature among them portraits of the late Queen wearing a Batman mask, alluding to the drive towards philanthropy versus the baser instinct for greed within the successful echelons of society. If you found yourself, or were born into, a world of immense wealth - would you go the way of Bill Gates and use it for good works, or for self-indulgence? And how rich do you need to be to be rich enough to be Batman?

It seems we're never far from the money and morality divide, with news stories of businessmen siphoning funds from companies on the skids, or unlocking a new level of lavish while failing to pay their staff a decent living wage. On the other hand, there are the genuine do-gooders. The Gates Foundation for example, and others of their ilk. People who want to use their privilege to help others less fortunate than themselves.

Debuting the Richer Than collection at the gallery. Sept 2021

Richer Than exhibition at The Electric Gallery. Oct 2021

So how incredible it is to have this concept conveyed in one relatively simple visual cue, throughout these works which have withstood the test of a decade's politics, and counting, while remaining as vibrant and relevant as ever. And, as is fitting with a collection such as this, it's important to acknowledge that many of the funds raised by sales have gone on to help endeavours like The Big Issue and Single Homeless Project, of which Batman would be undoubtedly proud.

Event fundraising for The Big Issue at Blackfriars Crown Court. April 2022

Grant Nicolas, Feeder (top left); Leigh Francis (top right); Kojey Radical (bottom left), Cat Simms (bottom right). helping to promote awareness for a t-shirt campaign to raise money for UK Foodbank's. Summer 2024.