Controversial installation artist Gaz Fitta today unveiled his latest masterpiece before a disbelieving public at the Threadbone Shopping Mall's Whisky-McNightly Arts Centre, Blandford Forum. No stranger to ridicule, Fitta's latest effort has [predictably] caused a pre-Christmas rumpus equal to that experienced in Chetnole last week when the Christmas Lights switch-on - featuring celebrity switch-flicker Mavis Stoat* - had to be cancelled pending resolution of an embarrassing Direct Debit dispute between Dorset electricity and the Greater Chetnole Metropolitan Council.
* born Mavis Pettigrew in 1957, Mavis has been Dorset's go-to Anne Shelton impersonater since 1983 and was until 30 years ago much in demand at social clubs and [latterly] care homes the length and breadth of Dorset. She has been resting recently but was sufficently alert to take umbridge at her untimely removal from the temporary Chetnole Market Square platform just as she was about to commence an impromptu performance of "I'll Be Seeing You". Being the pantomime season the crowd was equally disappointed to be denied the opportunity of responding with "Oh no you won't". Dorset Age Concern has been approached for comment but has declined to do so.
"Resting Boobs on a Stick" is the latest family portrait in a sculptural series which commenced in 2018 with the self portrait "Resting Artist With[out] Talent". Installed outside the MegaMall Ebblake, RAwT was nominated for the Turner-Corner Prize but lost out to Damien Omen's "If this is ART then F**k Me Backwards with a Spoon". Many felt inclined to do so. RBoaS is, says Fitta, "a tribute to my muse Aunty Doreen whose luscious physicality has intrigued me since she emerged from the water on a family holiday to Canford Cliffs in 1989. I think of her as a modern day Aphrodite, a figure of mythic significance tangibly present in everyday life. I believe everyone has an Aunty Doreen somewhere inside their twisted psyche - a forbidden fruit always nibbling at the edge of consciousness screaming "touch me" yet at the same time remaining aloof, demure and just a tad saggy".
That Gaz Fitta Q&A in full with our Installation Arts Correspondent Paula Theotherwan
PT: Who was your inspiration for Resting Boobs on a Stick?
GF: I refer the Honorable Lady to the answer given above
PT: Is it part of a series?
GF: I refer the Honorable Lady to the answer given above
PT: How long will it be on display?
GF: Until it's stolen, dismantled, falls apart or is destroyed in a fit of righteous anger by art lovers
PT: Is it art or is it just pipework?
GF: Yes
PT: Are you a genuine artist, a deranged plumber or a fraud?
GF: Yes
PT: Is this interview over
GF: I hope so
PT: Can I have your autograph
GF: No but if you come back to my place and take your clothes off I will show you my edgings.
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