The Red and The Black by Brad Faine

Published: 2009
Image Size: 710 mm X 710 mm
Paper Size: 885 mm X 910 mm
Edition Size: 50

Inkjet with silkscreen glaze.

The work's title refers not only to the famous novel of the same name by Stendhal, but to the state of our bank accounts - making it particularly pertinent in the current climate. The challenge to the viewer is to ascertain all the different layers of meaning in what is a very full composition. The Red and The Black is a commentary on the world of finance in the current global recession. The composition is divided into a chequerboard of red and black numbered squares, reminiscent of the random layout of a roulette wheel and hinting at the risks we all take when investing our money. The squares are numbered, the figures' lack of colour making them stand out to the viewer, reminding us that the world of banking and finance all comes down to digits often featuring a large zero. Each square is also layered with a different currency symbol, reflecting the global nature of economics. Running across the whole composition are a sequence of letters, which upon closer examination can be seen to spell phrases such as 'extortionate expenses' and 'debased derivatives'. Finally Faine breaks up the gloss finish of the piece leaving matt another sequence of larger letters that fill a circular space in the centre of the image, spelling 'RUSSIAN ROULETTE'