4 May 2000

University artist goes public on Kosovo commission

A University of Dundee artist and lecturer commissioned by the Imperial War Museum to represent the situation in Kosovo has emerged from a mantle of confidentiality to put the resulting creative work on display.

Graham Fagen, who lectures in fine art at the Duncan of Jordanstone faculty of the University, has produced an installation under the title "Theatre" - a reference to the military term "theatre of war" and also to the nature of the work which is set in a mock theatre where the viewers see a film of a play based on the Kosovo situation, projected on a screen.

The exhibition, which critics have already described as "as thoughtful as (it is) powerful" goes on show at the Imperial War Museum in London tomorrow (5 May).

Graham, who has made his mark previously with a range of installations, stage sets, films and photography, has often returned to the theme of cultural understanding - a theme which runs strongly through this latest work.

He was first approached by the IWM last year and after interview was selected for the demanding commission which involved spending time with NATO troops in the war torn region where murders and revenge killings were an everyday occurrence.

"The military were fantastically supportive of what I was doing," said Graham. "Everybody was very curious and we were able to have very meaningful conversations about why I was there but also about the bigger picture - why are people fighting? What have we got to do with it?

After having been in Kosovo I've got nothing but respect for the people that are doing that job."

Graham was sheltered from the pressures of media attention while working on his artistic interpretation of the Kosovo situation as part of the agreement with the Imperial War Museum. On his return he said : "I'm sure the experience has affected me but to what sort of degree I'm not too sure. Having been in a stressful situation like that you come back and realise how fortunate you are to live in a country that's stable. One minute I was living in a tent at minus ten degrees and driving about in a military jeep, the next I was on Sauchiehall Street trying to think what to get my mother for Christmas. It made Christmas shopping seem ridiculous and trivial but also crystallised the importance and privilege of having that kind of freedom, security and prosperity."

Graham Fagen currently has two works on display in the prestigious British Art Show which features the cream of British contemporary art and is currently running in Edinburgh where Fagen's work is featured at the Fruitmarket Gallery./ends