It's a Wallpaper World-painting: gouache, vinyl and metallic paint on paper; 121 X 152cm

Gouache, vinyl and metallic paint on paper, 121cm x 152cm, 2006

First exhibited at John Moores, Liverpool, 16th September – 26th November 2006.

‘It’s a Wallpaper World: Made in Canada’ is one of a series of 12 images exploring the idea of societies undergoing transformation. The works make an oblique cultural comment on indigenous societies and the difficulties they face due to cultural assimilation, specifically in this painting, 1st Nation native Indians. The aesthetic treatment of the work draws from the iconography, colour palette and veneration of nature associated with this indigenous society. However, there is also a darker theme at work in that vulnerable figures are shown under threat from that which surrounds them.

One of the themes of the Liverpool Biennial 2006 was the impact of social change on society and Plessner’s work was one manifestation of this theme. The John Moores exhibition selectors considered 2,300 entries for 2006, the largest submission for 43 years. The jurors included Sir Peter Blake, Tracey Emin and former John Moores prize winner Jason Brooks. 268 works were short-listed which was then selected down to 52 works, including Plessner’s.

Entries were required to be original new or recent paintings within a set size and made to hang on a wall, specifications drawn up by Sir John Mooores, a keen painter, who initiated the John Moores exhibition and trust in 1957. For many years it has formed part of a range of activities within the Liverpool Biennial.

A catalogue accompanied the exhibition in which the painting is reproduced (ISBN 1902700 309)

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.og.uk/mediacentre/displayrelease.aspx?id=576

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/johnmoores/24/daphne_plessner.asp

http://www.plesner.co.uk