Artist Jacqueline Hammond depicts the Queen enjoying a private and unusual moment
May 17, 2012, Press Dispensary. With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee fast approaching, a public backlash is starting to occur against the hype and twee memorabilia flooding the UK. Renowned Brighton-based fine artist, Jacqueline Hammond, is ahead of this trend and is unleashing a ‘commemorative’ mug with a difference, featuring the Queen enjoying a private moment… picking her nose. Entitled ‘Queenie Nose She’s Picked a Diamond Year 2012’, the mug is set to adorn the coffee tables of UK citizens who don’t want to stand in the street waving flags.
The anti-commemorative mug is based on Jacqueline’s original painting of the same name, which was originally an entry in the ‘Seeking Picasso’ competition, held in Brighton during 2007 and in which Jacqueline was a finalist. It has been gaining in popularity ever since. The original painting will be exhibited at West Ox Arts Gallery, Bamptom, Oxfordshire, throughout June, and is open to offers from collectors until 30 June. The work is also available as a limited edition of 200 Giclee prints with the option of being hand-finished with the “Queenie Nose She’s Picked a Diamond Year” writing on the mirror. The prints are available fromhttp://www.jacqueline-hammond.com/photo_1587156.html .
With a Facebook group called ‘Bollocks to the Queen’s Jubilee’ gaining ‘likes’, and plans afoot to re-release the anarchic 1977 Sex Pistols’ ‘God Save the Queen’ single before 5 June, it seems that people are ready for alternative memorabilia – be it a mug or a full-size portrait of the Queen – that provides an alternative to the twee trinket boxes, monarchy-themed tea towels, fancy-dress hats and Union Jack Flags that are invariably made in China.
Artist and alternative memorabilia creator, Jacqueline Hammond, says: “The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is the latest hype in the UK. The large proportion of people who are ambivalent about the monarchy, or simply don’t like pomp and plastic tat, may wonder what the fuss is about. Some of the Diamond Jubilee memorabilia takes itself far too seriously, such as those plaster Queens, commemorative plates and ceramic corgis. Other items descend into utter tack, such as Union Jack dresses, tutus, wigs and plastic hats that will no doubt be appearing in Benidorm this summer.”
She adds: “For those seeking an alternative product to remember the Diamond Jubilee in their own twisted manner, the ‘Queenie Nose She’s Picked a Diamond Year 2012’ mug provides a top choice. The item was designed in England, which gives it a head start over the plastic horrors that abound. For those seeking a larger commemorative item, prints are available and offers can be made on the original work. The painting will go to the person who has made the best offer by Jubilee time.”
Jacqueline has caricatured the Royal Family on other occasions: for example, in 2011, her ‘Royal Wedding Pebbleheads’ painting used pebbles carefully selected from Brighton Beach as the character’s heads (http://www.jacqueline-hammond.com/photo_7693907.html ).
As well as being a renowned south coast artist who exhibits at JAG Gallery on Madeira Drive, Brighton, Jacqueline Hammond runs the Smart Deco online retail business, launched in 2011 to market art-led home-ware products with a practical purpose. Smart Deco is the sister company of Jacqueline’s other successful venture, Smarty Lamps, which has sold retro-inspired lighting online since 2004.
The ‘Queenie Nose She’s Picked a Diamond Year 2012’ mug, costing £8, can be purchased online at http://www.smartdeco-style.com . Bulk discounts are available.
For those who wish to view the original work, West Ox Arts Gallery (http://www.westoxarts.com ) is at Town Hall, Market Square, Bampton, Oxfordshire OX18 2JH, tel: 01993 850137.
