FROME residents have been taking to social media to declare their amazement, shock, horror & delight at the appearance of Boris Johnson at his podium giving his weekly briefings in a shop window on Catherine Hill.
The crocheted Mini Me version of the British Prime Minister at the centre of this media flurry is the work of local artist Kate Talbot whose website describes her work as having ‘…a strong social documentary element, in which images of politicians or modern day stereotypes are examined (sometimes ruthlessly) and held accountable for their actions. As an artist she strives to find a common thread with her audience and welcomes the shock, laughter, misunderstanding and concurrence that her work can illicit.’
The small character is seen standing before a podium emblazoned with the classic yellow and green ‘Covid-19’ Stay Alert slogan, although in this instance it reads ‘Stay Home – Ignore Us – Save Lives’. His speech which appears in a bubble beside him reads ‘ Let me be perfectly clear! We have now entered a new stage of our outline approach to the plan for guidelines to deal with the requirements to keep moving forward in our endeavours to find the right path. Once again, we strongly advise you to wash your hands of this as we have done! God Bless the NHS!’
Here’s what some of the social media posters are saying.
Tina Gaisford-Waller said ‘the only briefing worth following’
while Elaine Pugsley said ‘This gives me incentive to walk up Catherine Hill. So upsetting walking around town.’
The crocheted figure has been the subject of many photoshoots, amused banter and at times the receiver of loud disapproving tuts but it’s certainly a welcome break from looking at the closed shop windows. Although we have it on good authority that the town’s traders are very much looking forward to returning to their former glory as soon as possible.
To see more work by the artist visit www.katetalbot.co.uk
