Polish-born, London-based artist Goshka Macuga's tapestry 'Make Tofu Not War' encourages the viewer to engage with contemporary issues around politics and the environment.
Three human beings dressed up as wild animals – a reindeer, a polar bear and a wolf – appear in the woven photographic scene, together with their protest banners. The trio stand in what looks like a clearing in a forest of conifers. The image is rich with associations, including allusions to George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', 19th-century landscape painting and satirical art that features anthropomorphised animals.
In addition, the ghostly presence of a space capsule and the 3-D effect of the image (which can indeed be viewed through 3-D glasses) introduces a science fiction element to the work. Macuga is best known for her multimedia installations, which are frequently made in response to a specific site or context. In 2018, she was nominated for the Turner Prize. 'Make Tofu Not War' now joins the extensive art collection at Nottingham Castle, which holds work dating from the 11th century to the present day.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Make Tofu Not War, 2018
Date supported
2020
Medium and material
Woven tapestry; acrylic, lurex, cotton, and wool
Dimensions
293 x 447 cm
Grant
21,900
Total cost
62,000
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