My Love Beats a Tattoo (seven-pointed star of penises)
Artist
Robert Flack
(Canadian, 1957 - 1993)
Date1987
Mediumplastic sheets, ink, paint
Dimensions29.4 x 22.4 cm
Credit LineThe Mendel Art Gallery Collection at Remai Modern. Gift of Carla Garnet 1997.
Object number1997.25.4
Classificationsdrawing
On View
Not on viewIn this series of works Robert Flack hand-painted images with ink onto clear acetate sheets, which he then layered over sheets of textured plastic. This strategy is similar to how animation cells are created. The expression “beats a tattoo” references the military term which means “to sound the drum for evening roll-call.” The inclusion of “My Love” in the title suggests an association of power and desire. The images in the work could also resemble tattoo design.
Before his untimely death at the age of 35, Flack was very active in the Toronto art scene in the 1980’s, involved in several collectives, including Public Access, Cold City and Homogenius. He worked at Art Metropole and as a layout artist for General Idea’s FILE magazine. Flack became well known for the work he created after he was diagnosed with AIDS, drawing attention to the effects of the disease.
Before his untimely death at the age of 35, Flack was very active in the Toronto art scene in the 1980’s, involved in several collectives, including Public Access, Cold City and Homogenius. He worked at Art Metropole and as a layout artist for General Idea’s FILE magazine. Flack became well known for the work he created after he was diagnosed with AIDS, drawing attention to the effects of the disease.
