Artwork
Surveillance
Surveillance is a print by Matthew Radford. It dates from 2000 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This 2000 print titled Surveillance by Matthew Radford shows a city street crowd. It mimics the blurry, flickering look of a CCTV feed. The artist uses etching to copy that electronic feel with an old-school method.
He turns a common sight, watching from above, into art. The print tricks your eye into seeing a video where there’s only ink on paper.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
Surveillance is a 2000 print by Matthew Radford, depicting a city street scene with a crowd. The image mimics the visual characteristics of a CCTV feed.
Subject & Meaning
The print explores the theme of surveillance in urban environments, reflecting the prevalence of CCTV cameras in public spaces. It presents a familiar contemporary experience, transforming a mundane aspect of city life into a subject for artistic examination.
Technique & Style
Radford employed the traditional printmaking technique of etching to achieve a visual effect reminiscent of electronic or digital media. The labor-intensive process contrasts with the instantaneous nature of video technology, highlighting the artist's skill in translating a modern visual language into a classic medium.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Radford made a single print titled Surveillance in 2000. The work is a flat, black-and-white image that feels like a snapshot taken from above, its angles sharp enough to suggest a security camera’s view. The…
