Gary Hume Takes Aim at UK Border Control With New Murals

Matthew Marks Gallery presents an exhibition of new work by British artist Gary Hume, including his first site-specific murals inspired by cartoons that were covered up.

Painted in acrylic and charcoal directly on the gallery walls, Hume’s murals depict characters from children’s cartoons that once greeted unaccompanied children and young adults at immigration reception centers in the South of England.

When the then-immigration minister decided in 2023 they were too welcoming, characters including Winnie the Pooh, Anna from Frozen, as well as Tom and Jerry were painted over.

Often blending abstraction with discernible imagery, Hume's work touches upon themes of hope, loss, and vulnerability. He says: "It has to have certain characteristics that are very clear to people. And it has to have characteristics that nobody really understands. Then that is a good painting."

His show opens on September 10 and is on view through October 24.